Happy travels!

Every year around Thanksgiving, people make the trek back home to stuff their faces, drink, watch football, and explain to family elders why they're putting off getting married (here's a Thanksgiving drinking game we've put together to help you cope!). It's a perfectly reasonable excuse to go home, and as you know, very popular. Thus, airports seem busier than a half-eaten Jolly Rancher on an ant hill, and that makes me think that Thanksgiving is a holiday better for road-tripping. If you're thinking along those same lines, and you're going to hit the road this year, here's what you need to do to make sure your vehicle is up to the task: 

Check Your Oil 

This seems straightforward, and it is. Most modern cars don't consume that much oil and will typically be fine. But from time to time, a loose drain plug, or worse, can cause your oil to disappear, and if that's the case, you'll want to know about it before you're stranded in the middle of nowhere. 

Check Your Coolant Level 

Again, if you haven't had any issues lately, you're probably fine. Most cars have a transparent reservoir that allows you to see your engine coolant level. If the level appears to be below the recommended level, you should have things looked at by a mechanic. And if you're not sure how to do this, you can typically find somebody doing it on YouTube. 

Check Your Battery 

If you're going to the mountains or your local meteorologist is calling for a cold Thanksgiving, you'll want to make sure that your battery is up to the task. While you're at it, check out our recommendations for preparing your car for winter.

Check Your Tires 

Typically, the recommended tire pressure can be found on the inside of the driver's door. Make sure your tires are cold, aka you haven't driven too long on them, for accurate readings. It's also probably a good idea to check your tire tread – especially if you think you could run into some bad weather. 

Go for a Short Drive

You'll probably have to run an errand or two before heading out. Pay extra attention to how your vehicle is operating (e.g. make sure the engine is operating at the proper temperature, that your brakes work, and that you're not feeling any major vibrations or hearing any out-of-the-ordinary noises). 

What are your thoughts? Do you have any tips before hitting the road? If so, let us know in the comments below!

There's a problem with the turkeys this year. Check out this salmonella-related recall.