It pays to know - and might save you money in the long run.

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You'd probably feel a little bit terrible if your vehicle broke down en route to a family outing this summer because you forgot to have it serviced. Driving in the heat with a full load of passengers and gear are hard on your vehicle's components, as well as the fluids which keep them working. Keep in mind that this is a time of year where any procrastination in the maintenance department will tend to show itself.

Modern engines are more sophisticated and reliable than ever- if maintained properly

Ever wonder whether or not your machine needs its fluids changed? A simple visit to your favorite dealership or lube-shop will steer you in the right direction. Mechanics will tell you that such fluids are the life-blood of your vehicle- and they'll also tell you that you can count on your car letting you down if you neglect them.

The most frequent and common fluid change is engine oil. This lubricates, cools and protects hundreds of highly-precise internal parts- though it gets dirty and wears down in the process. Generally, fresh golden oil is reduced to black, un-protective tar in the course of about 5,000 kilometres- depending on driving habits. Check your owner's manual if in doubt.

Is your car's engine overdue for an oil change? Don't wait any longer. If you do, you'll experience symptoms like accelerated internal wear, lost power, and the buildup of sludge. The latter is a solid material which adheres to the inside of tight oil passageways, much like cholesterol does to the lining of arteries. This can starve vital parts of oil altogether- resulting in expensive, catastrophic engine failure. It's the automotive equivalent of a heart attack.

When you go for an oil change, you'll be presented with the option to use regular or synthetic oil- with a significant price difference between the two. Synthetic claims to offer better protection, power and mileage, but it's generally only required in high-performance engines and not your Honda Civic. Synthetic oil is really more about added protection for severe use.

With engine oil getting all of the attention, it could be easy to forget the colorful green fluid circulating within your powerplant- its coolant. Engines don't like excessive heat- so coolant is pumped throughout to keep things at a comfortable temperature. Coolant contains conditioners and lubricants to keep parts like the radiator and water pump protected as well.

Not changing your coolant on time may lead to overheating and the reduced life of your radiator, water pump and the engine itself. Change this fluid on time, and you'll benefit from peace of mind and the extended life of your engine's cooling-system parts.

Changing your transmission fluid carries many of the same benefits. The insides of an automatic transmission are exposed to tremendous heat and pressure that can break down a fluid in a real hurry- especially during demanding summertime driving.

If your transmission fluid is old, it won't protect or cool internal parts- meaning they'll wear down quickly and ultimately fail. If you don't remember the last time your transmission fluid was changed, it's probably overdue. A fluid change runs about $80 to $100, with a transmission costing somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 times that much. Simple decision, really.

A little preventative maintenance now can save thousands of dollars worth of repairs down the line, not to mention adding peace of mind for the upcoming travel season.