Car-care tips for cross-country travel: checking the auto before the road trip can prevent costly highway mishaps

THE long-awaited vacation is approaching, and soon you'll be cruising the highway with enough cassette tapes to handle the most boring stretches of scenery. You're ready, but perhaps the excitement obscures the one question you assume will be happily answered at the end of the trip: Is your automobile up to the task?

For far too many motorists, the answer will be a resounding "no." For these summertime road travelers, what often begins as an exciting and well-deserved break from the routine becomes a costly nightmare that spoils the best laid vacation plans. "We don't have a real good way of knowing how many people have their cars inspected by a competent mechanic before deciding to drive 500 miles," says Geoff Sundstrom, an American Automobile Association spokesman. "But, we handled over 20 million calls for emergency road service last year, and that tells me that there are quite a few people out there who aren't properly maintaining their vehicles."

A little planning and preparation can go a long way toward a safe and happy motoring vacation. A detailed road map, an owner's manual and a prevacation visit to a trusted mechanic can be most important. Even in an age where technology has enhanced automotive performance, the old road adage still applies: "Having faith is good, checking is better." So before your next trip, automotive experts suggest the following tips to prevent any traumatic highway mishaps.

* Inspect your car's vital fluids, particularly the engine oil and the anti-freeze/coolant solution. The owner's manual will give the recommended grade and service classification of oil the best suits your car. Keep the oil level at the "full" mark for proper lubrication; oil should be changed every six months or 3,000 miles. A proper coolant solution is important for hot weather protection. Most cars take a 50-50 mixture of coolant and water. In no case should the amount of coolant exceed 70 percent and never add plain water to your cooling system except in an emergency. Also check transmission, brake and power steering fluids and be sure to stick to the type of fluid recommended by the manufacturer, particularly with transmission fluid because the wrong type can damage your automobile's transmission.

* Think tune-up only if you have an older car, as most new models have electronic fuel injection and sealed carburetors that need little adjustment. Consult your owner's manual for schedules on recommended tuneups.

* Check the tires carefully, including the spare in the trunk. Uneven wear could indicate alignment, suspension or wheel-balance problems. Under-inflation can dangerously increase the heat build-up in tires, so keep tires properly inflated. Worn tires need to be replaced before the trip with tires that meet the car maker's specifications. Always check tire pressure when the tires are "cold," before driving three or more miles.

* To ensure proper vision, always check the headlights and tail lights for alignment and brightness. Replace any burnt-out bulbs. Make sure the car's brake and hazard lights work properly. Check and replace worn windshield wipers, and make certain the car's windshield wiper fluid system is full of fluid and in proper working order. Also check and clean the car's rear-view and side-view mirrors.

* Always check the condition of the automobile's drive belts and hoses. If they are cracked or worn, they should be replaced. Also, inspect your air filters and oil filters. Replace them if dirty or clogged.

* Always carry emergency tools and materials for unforeseen trouble on the highway. These include a flashlight, flares, a tire gauge, a jack, a tire iron, a lug wrench, a blanket, battery cables and a gasoline can. Never carry gasoline in the trunk of your car. Besides a road map of your trip, you may also want to carry a spare set of car keys to prevent getting locked out of your car.

* Unless your battery is "maintenance free," check the water level of your car's battery whenever you buy gasoline. Checking the car's alternator and fuses is advisable before traveling since almost half of AAA's emergency road service calls are due to batteries or electrical difficulties.

*Lastly, an estimated 400,000 motorists annually will call AAA for aid because they ran out of gas. Keep enough cash or traveler's checks to avoid relying strictly on gasoline credit cards. Motorists should also use gasoline with octane ratings recommended by the car manufacturer to guarantee good engine performance.

By following these steps before the vacation, motorists can be assured of a safe and hassle-free road trip. A well-rested driver and properly maintained automobile should make sweet music on the highway, with or without your favorite cassette.