(NAPSI)—As millions of Americans gear up for family vacations, weekend getaways and other grand adventures, and with high air travel costs and rising delays, experts are calling for a road trip renaissance. That means more families driving to their summer destinations. But before packing bags and setting the GPS, it’s a good idea to prepare your vehicle to make sure it’s ready for a safe journey ahead.
The experts at the National Highway Safety Administration suggest you:
1.Inspect all belts and hoses to make sure there are no signs of bulges, blisters, cracks, or cuts in the rubber. Replace any showing obvious wear. Also, make sure all hose connections are secure.
2.Make sure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure, listed in your owner’s manual and on a placard on the driver’s door pillar or door frame.
3.Look closely at tire tread and replace tires that have uneven wear or insufficient tread.
4.Make sure you have enough coolant, oil, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid.
5.Have a mechanic check your battery and charging system.
6.Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights.
Maintaining a car can be costly. Since 2019, the average annual cost for car maintenance and repairs across has grown by 43% to over $930 in 2025. This can include oil and filter changes, brake pad replacement, inspection, and more. And don’t forget tires. Long drives mean your tires will need extra attention. While necessary, these costs should not burden your wallet or force you to make tough cost-cutting travel decisions.
You can check these pre-trip expenses off your list without depleting your vacation savings when you have the Synchrony Car Care credit card. Cardholders can spread out the cost of vehicle maintenance and repairs and enjoy the flexibility of having their payments align with their budget. Not only can the card be used for repairs and maintenance, but also for travel expenses including gas stations nationwide, toll booths, parking, car insurance, EV charging, and more. And because cars on long family drives tend to become messy both inside and out, travelers can also use the card to keep vehicles clean with car washes and detailing.
If approved, Synchrony Car Care cardholders who are faced with a $930 pre-trip auto expense could take advantage of a six-month deferred interest promotion and see their monthly on-time payment be as little as $155 per month for six months. With American consumers facing an uncertain economic environment, this can help many families hit the road with money still in their pocket.
Synchrony’s Car Care cardholder network benefits include:
•Acceptance at more than 1 million auto merchant and auto-related locations nationwide
•Six months promotional financing on purchases of $199 or more every day, as well as exclusive cardholder discounts
•No annual fee and $0 fraud liability
•Convenient monthly payments
•24/7 secure online account access
