The sun sets behind a wall of storm clouds over U.S. Highway 36 near Baileyville. Before hitting the open road, one of the safest things drivers can do is check their tire pressure, according to Jim Hanni, executive vice president of the American Automobile Association of America.

Planning increases the chances of having a successful vacation, according to Jim Hanni, executive vice president of the American Automobile Association of Kansas.

In general, AAA recommends that you start planning early and involve the whole family. As the process goes on, it is important not to overlook the vehicle that you’ll count on to get to your destination and safely back home.

Hanni said AAA has developed a top 10 list of common-sense maintenance checks that can help prevent on-the-road breakdowns.

The list should be considered in the context of where you’re driving and the recommendations listed in your owner’s manual, Hanni said. Before leaving on a trip, AAA recommends that drivers:

• Check tire pressure. The correct tire pressure prevents unnecessary tire wear, makes vehicles safer by allowing them to handle properly and improves fuel economy.

“It’s one of the most important things drivers can do,” Hanni said. “It’s inexpensive and easy to do.”

• Check tire tread. To check whether tires have adequate tread, AAA recommends inserting a quarter in the tread. If you can see the space between the top of Washington’s head and the edge of the coin, it’s time for new tires, Hanni said.

• Check engine air filter and replace when recommended in the owner’s manual. A clogged or dirty filter can increase fuel emissions and lower gas mileage, Hanni said.

• Check battery clamps, connections and cables to ensure connections are tight and free of crust or corrosive deposits that can prevent the battery from charging properly or interfere with the flow of electricity. It is recommended that crusted connections be cleaned with a wire brush and a mixture of baking soda and water.

Hanni said warning signs could be lights dimming at idle or a rough idle.

“It’s pretty easy to keep them clean,” he said. “Check them every time you change the oil.”

• Check oil. Oil should be changed with the oil filter per the manufacturer’s recommendation in the owner’s manual. Before leaving for a trip, the oil level should be checked. Oil overdue for a change loses its viscosity and ability to protect against engine friction and wear. Driving with a low oil level can also increase engine wear, decrease its life or cause engine failure.

• Check windshield wiper blades. “They are easy to overlook until you get in a pounding rainstorm,” Hanni said. “Typically, they should be replaced every six to 10 months.”

• Fill windshield cleaner container.

• Check antifreeze and coolant, particularly if you’re traveling to a more severe climate. Coolant systems should be flushed according to recommendations in owner’s manuals.

• Have drive belt tension checked at every oil change and inspected for wear. Hanni said drive belts need replaced every four years.

• Check brake fluid level. If it’s low, it could mean a leak in the brake system or worn brake pads. Brake fluid should be replaced every four years, Hanni said.

Micah Garber, owner of Garber Automotive Inc. at 2216 W. Sixth St. in Lawrence, said the AAA list seemed inclusive. He did add that vacationers driving south or to the desert, particularly this time of year, might what to check their air conditioners, which have had little use in recent months.

It is inexpensive to get peace of mind about the items on the list, Garber said.

“Most shops normally inspect those thing for free or next to nothing,” he said. “There are plenty of opportunities to get your car checked out and not get charged for something like that.”

Hanni said proper planning should also extend to the glove box. Before leaving on a trip, check to ensure you’re traveling with an up-to-date proof of insurance statement and current vehicle registration. It is also a good idea to carry a flashlight and tire gauge, he said.

In an age when trip ticks, or customized route itineraries, can be downloaded into GPS units, there is still a place for maps, and Hanni recommended you take a road atlas and more detailed maps of your destination.

“Well, I’m old school. I like to sit down with a map and see what’s all out there,” he said. “You might be looking at the route on the map and see that LBJ Ranch is just to the right.”