Summertime probably means you'll be taking a road trip to somewhere at some point. Maybe you're driving an hour to the nearest beach or heading out on a long journey across country. Regardless, the absolute last thing you want is to have your car break down while you're in the middle of a trip, especially if it's due to something you could have easily prevented. So whether you're driving a Mercedes-Benz or a Ford, do the smart thing this summer and follow these simple tips to avoid a breakdown.

Keep up with the up-keep
The first question you should be asking yourself when considering your car's well-being is, "Am I properly maintaining my vehicle?" Whether you've had your vehicle for a few years or you've just acquired a used car, be aware of the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. You can find it in your owner's manual, which you should probably look through if you haven't already. The schedule will include recommendations for fluid changes, tire rotations and other services based on your vehicle's mileage. Some of the things you might see are detailed in the list below that you can either check yourself, or have your mechanic inspect to be sure you and your car are up to speed. 

The tires
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that low tire pressure is the leading cause of blowouts. Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold, or when you haven't driven on them for any considerable distance, the NHTSA said. The manufacturer's recommended tire pressure can be found on the inside of your driver-side door panel. It's a good idea to keep a tire-pressure gauge in your car, so you'll always be able to tell whether or not you need some air. 

You should ensure your tires are still in good condition, especially if you're switching back to summer tires from winter tires. Inspect each tire for any cracking or potential leaks, especially if you've checked the pressure and found it to be low. You should also check the tread using the penny trick, the NHTSA recommended. Rest a penny in the tread, with Lincoln's face upside-down – if you can see the top of his head you should probably have your tires replaced. If not, you're all set.

If the tires seem to have uneven wear patterns, they may need to be re-aligned, according to the NHTSA. Have your mechanic inspect the alignment and rotate the tires if necessary. This will ensure they wear evenly and prolong their life.

The radiator
Overheating on the highway is a common occurrence in the summer time, so keeping tabs on the health of your radiator system is very important. Car Talk reported that it's crucial to check the radiator core, especially if you live in an area where salt is used heavily on roads in the winter, as it can rot the tubes that carry the coolant. Have a mechanic test the core to see if the tubes are showing any signs of corrosion.  

The coolant itself should also be full and healthy. Most coolants nowadays last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, but if your car is in that range you may need to replace it, according to Car Talk. Before you even ask, yes, you still need antifreeze in the summer. Antifreeze has a much higher boiling point than water and it will help keep the engine cool in extreme temperatures.

The thermostat must also be working well if you're going to keep the engine cool. If the thermostat is stuck, all the coolant in the world won't keep your engine from overheating, according to Car Talk.

Oil and transmission fluid
If you don't have enough oil in your engine, you risk severe damage or even seizure. This will not only stop you in your tracks, it will cost you a fortune to replace the engine if it seizes. So, always check your oil level before heading out on a long trip. It's also essential to make sure you're changing the oil regularly. Most manufacturers recommend changing the oil and filter every 5,000 miles, Car Talk said. If you change the oil and it gets dirty quickly, you may need an engine flush to help remove excess dirt and residue buildup. 

The same is true for your transmission fluid. While it doesn't need to be replaced nearly as often as oil, sustained high temperatures and bad transmission fluid don't mix. You can look at it yourself – good fluid should look reddish-brown while fluid that needs to be changed will be very dark and may not have any red tinge left at all. If it looks bad, have the transmission flushed and the fluid replaced. 

The air conditioner
This one is a no-brainer. Nobody wants to be stuck in a hot car in the summertime, and having the air conditioner checked is the best way to prevent that. Start by running the air conditioner and testing how cold it is. If it's not pumping cold air, you might need to have it serviced. How Stuff Works said that low refrigerant is the leading cause of faulty air conditioners. Have a mechanic ensure you have enough refrigerant and more importantly, that none is leaking. Some cars also come equipped with a cabin air filter, which cleans the air as it's pumped through the vents and into the vehicle. You want to be sure the filter is clean, so check your owner's manual to see if your car has one and where it is. 

Seatbelts and car seats
Once you've ensured everything else on this list is in working order, be sure to follow proper safety procedures inside the car as well. Everyone riding in the vehicle must be buckled at all times. When traveling with young children, they need to be properly restrained in the back seat. The NHTSA has a slew of safety guidelines that not all available car seats adhere to. If you're a new parent, read through the NHTSA's guidelines to ensure you're doing it right from the start. It's also recommended that you buckle all unused seatbelts so that children will be less likely to become entangled if they're playing around in the backseat. 

Stick to these guidelines and you're likely to avoid any serious bumps on your summer road trip.