Angie's List

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Despite pain fill-ups at the gas station, some folks are still planning on hitting the road this summer for vacation. But is your vehicle really ready for a road trip?

In a recent Angie's List poll, 17 percent of people reported that their vehicles had broken down on a road trip in the past. So many drivers are planning ahead to make sure that doesn't happen again.

"In light of the high gas prices we conducted an Angie's List poll to see how our members are caring for their cars. 67 percent of the respondents in that poll are performing regular maintenance which is great news because that's one of the best ways to stretch your gas mileage," says Angie's List founder Angie Hicks. She says doing a quick check of your vehicle will help you avoid headaches later.

"Before heading out on a summer road trip, your mechanic should change your oil, check your fluids, check your tire pressure, and also examine your air conditioner," says Angie, "To improve gas mileage on your car perform regular maintenance, including oil changes, keep your tires properly inflated, try to avoid driving during rush hour and drive the speed limit. Speeding will just eat into your gas mileage."

Angie's Advice for Summer Road Trips

Safety First: Take the vehicle you'll be driving to a reliable service provider for a thorough check-up two weeks before you plan to head out. If there's an issue, you'll have time to get it addressed without eating into your R&R time. And, you'll greatly reduce the chances you'll spend part of your vacation in a break-down lane far from home.

Slow down; you're on vacation: Driving the speed limit will increase your fuel efficiency. Honest.

Save the limbo for the beach: Avoid going as low as you can go when it comes to your gas tank. Your fuel pump is located there and the bottom of the gas tank collects sediment from gasoline. When you run your car on low fuel, the pump can pick up the sediment and become damaged from it, which results in low fuel-efficiency.

Sleep all day, drive all night: Consider driving to your summer destination during non-peak hours. Nearly half the energy needed to power your vehicle goes in acceleration. Unnecessary braking wastes that energy. It will also be cooler at night, meaning you might not need the A/C, saving even more fuel.

Angie's List Advice for Everyday Good Driving Habits:

Yearly check-ups: You should have an annual physical, and so should your vehicle. Plan your vehicle's once-over shortly before your area's most extreme weather sets in.

Equip your car with an emergency kit (high-energy snacks, bottled water, shovel, blanket, cell phone battery charger, tire repair tools, flashlight and flares).

Respect the Tin Man: Don't skip regular oil changes, which should be done every 3,000 to 4,000 miles on most cars. Check your owner's manual to see if your car has a specific oil type, and make sure your mechanic uses it.

Clean it up: A car wash does more than just clean your car. Regular washing, especially the underbody and especially in the winter for cold-weather areas, makes an enormous difference in a car's longevity. Brake fluid and fuel lines run along a car's underbody, which is subjected to a lot of dirt, water and salt -- all of which lead straight to rust.

Be more than a good listener: Don't make just a mental note when your car starts to sputter, stall or have other strange symptoms. Put a notebook and pencil in your car and keep detailed log of any problems and the conditions under which they occur; (i.e. the weather or speed at which you were driving when it happened). This detail will help your mechanic diagnose the problem.

Keep track: Regularly monitor your tire inflation and mileage to save money at the gas pump and in the repair shop. Proper tire inflation helps you get better gas mileage. A drop in fuel efficiency is often the first warning sign of a problem, so monitoring your mileage can catch a problem before it gets too big (and expensive).

Smooth and steady wins the race: Vehicles that are driven gently last longer and experience fewer problems. Don't race from red light to red light. Avoid sharp turns, slamming on the brakes and other habits that put stress on your car.

That 'Check Engine' light: If your "check engine" light flashes, stop the car as soon as possible. Driving even a few miles with an engine problem can wreak major havoc and cost you more in the long-run.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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