5 ON YOUR SIDE: Road-ready summer travel tips [Video]

Are you already dreaming of summer? If your plans include a road trip, Consumer Reports has tips to help you stay safe, save some money, and manage those unexpected bumps on the road.

Before you hit the road for a family getaway, Consumer Reports recommends a few things before packing your bags and leaving home.

Inspect your tires for signs of damage, such as cuts, cracks, and sidewall blisters that might result from potholes. Also, check the tire pressure and adjust it to the number listed on the driver’s door jamb. Properly inflated tires are safer, last longer, and make your car more fuel-efficient.

You can make your car more fuel-efficient by reducing aerodynamic drag. If you’re not using it, take off anything like a roof rack and or bike rack. And sticking to the speed limit can also save fuel. Consumer Reports’ tests show you lose about six miles …