Here are the nuts and bolts to get you in gear for a smooth road trip this summer. These tips will help you steer clear of any bumps in the road.

Avoid Maintenance Mayhem
Before you put the pedal to the metal there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, get your car checked, especially filters, fluid levels, and belts — also make sure you’ve changed the oil. Check your tire pressure and the condition of your wiper blades, turn signals, brake lights, and high and low beams. Examine your tire treads and make sure your car is prepared for any kind of weather you might be headed for. You might need more antifreeze, some snow tires, or to recharge the air conditioner — you don’t want to be on the road on a roasting summer day and find the AC on the fritz!

Wheeling Into Motion
Before you hit the road, bring out the suds and bucket for an old-fashioned car wash with your sweetie — a clean car is a good way to start a long trip. Make sure you have a detailed map on hand and a planned route. Don’t forget plenty of water and munchies for the ride — it’ll be much cheaper to buy at the grocery store than to pay convenience store prices. Blankets and pillows for a sleepy passenger is a must. In addition, pack an emergency kit, including a flashlight, jumper cables, first aid kit, spare tire, tire repair kit and pump, and flares.

Rev Up Your Rental
If you are renting, agencies like Hertz  and Avis  have lots of locations, while online travel sites like Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com, and Priceline.com can offer good rental deals (often in conjunction with booking a hotel and a flight).

Are We There Yet?
Planning for the time spent in the car together can be just as important as packing your essentials. The last thing you want is to ruin your adventure with road trip boredom, so prepare some on-road entertainment. Include games and music, or even a few audio books.