Summer’s just around the corner. And, if you’re one of the few people who’ve never seen National Lampoon’s Vacation, you may be considering a road trip for your vacation this year.

Well, before you head off to enjoy your well-earned break from the day-to-day grind, take your car over to your nearby Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care center for a complete, pre-vacation checkup.

What’s involved in a pre-vacation checkup? Basically, the technicians go over your car from bumper to bumper with a fine-tooth comb, looking for anything that could create a safety hazard or might let you down while you’re away.

They’ll check the lights, wipers, and washers. Then they’ll get under the hood to make sure all the fluids are full, the filters are clean, and the battery terminals aren’t corroded.

They’ll put your car up in the air and check the tires, brakes, shocks, and exhaust. And they’ll look for anything that might be loose, worn, or damaged.

Of course, if you’d like, they’ll also take care of any maintenance services you’d like to have done before you go: oil changes, transmission services, tuneups, fuel system services — anything you’d like to do to make sure your car is ready to handle the demands of a long trip.

As Chevy Chase taught us, the road can be a cruel mistress. To avoid problems, your best bet is to make sure your car is safe and ready for sustained travel. Your friends at your nearby Cottman center are here to help.