If ever there was a time for your family car to be a stalwart friend, it's this fall and winter as terrorist attacks alter Americans' travel plans and encourage people to take to the road rather than the air.

AAA-Chicago Motor Club said it expects auto travel to increase throughout the United States and noted that 80 percent of all U.S. vacation travel already is done by motor vehicle.

"That total is expected to rise by an undetermined amount for at least the next few months, and possibly even longer if the price of gasoline remains steady," said Steve Nolan, AAA-CMC spokesman.

 Tips for preparing before you hit the road

 Travel experts advise drivers to be sure to prepare themselves as well as their vehicles before heading out.

 AAA, which bills itself as the largest full-service travel agency in North America, has travel counselors who can help AAA members with personalized routes, including AAA's exclusive TripTik routings. These provide estimated drive times and highlight areas to stop for gas, food and lodging. Tolls are noted beforehand, too, and counselors can arrange hotel reservations.

 Travelers can scope out ahead of time their drive routes on their own, too, using paper maps as well as Web sites such as MapQuest (http://www.mapquest.com/) and MapBlast! (http://www.mapblast.com/).

 For example, I was able to determine within a few minutes spent on the Internet that traveling from Sacramento, Calif., to visit family in Jackson, Mich., would be a trip of at least 2,242 miles and take more than 37 hours. I had a printout of driving directions, as well as a list of 30 public rest stops along interstate freeways of the route. I still needed to figure where to stop and stay overnight, but hotel offerings were at the Web sites, too.

 Unless you're one of the lucky ones with an on-board navigation system in your vehicle, it's still a good idea to keep paper maps handy in the car, in case of a detour or a change in travel plans.

 Besides packing the clothes you'll need for your trip, it's a good idea to go through and update your vehicle's emergency kit. You'll want to be sure to have items ready for winter, rather than summer, travel.

 The AAA suggests a kit should include flashlight, flares, first aid kit, blanket, warm clothes, gloves, hat, paper towels, snow shovel, snow brush, ice scraper, windshield washer fluid and extra food and water.

 Many experts also recommend carrying a bag of cat litter. Poured under tires, it can help provide traction if your vehicle gets stuck.

 And remember to carry your cell phone with you and keep it charged.

 Winter travel also requires special attention to your vehicle.

 "Vehicle stress and strain increases greatly during the winter months," Nolan said. "And minor deficiencies can turn into major problems. So it's extremely important for motorists to take precautions before the weather gets too cold."

 Here's a rundown of major winter-care items:

 Batteries can get zapped in the cold; therefore, checking your car's battery should be at the top of any winterizing to-do list. Look at the connections and make sure they're tight and corrosion-free and cables aren't loose. A qualified technician should determine the condition of the battery via a load test.

 Make sure your car's fluids are up to snuff.

 "At the very least, a change of season should automatically tip you off to have the oil and filter in your vehicle changed," advises the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, an association of automotive parts and accessories companies.

 While a car may well be due for an oil change, some vehicles also require a lighter weight, or lower viscosity, oil if driven in severe cold. If applicable, your owner's manual will have details.

 Coolant level also should be checked. Make sure the mix between antifreeze and water is correct, usually 50/50.

 Don't overlook windshield washer fluid. If it's low, top it off with a commercial, no-freeze fluid from a local auto parts store. Wiper blades are another source of visibility problems in winter. If your vehicle's wipers are more than a year old and/or don't get the windshield completely clean, without streaks, in three swipes, it could be time for new ones.

 Brake fluid and clutch fluid should be topped off, as should transmission fluid (assuming your vehicle doesn't have a sealed-for-life gearbox; check your owner's manual).

 Push and pull on engine belts and squeeze hoses. These items tend to deteriorate over time, so regular checkups should help you spot trouble before it occurs.

 The rule of thumb is that belts giving more than 1 inch under finger pressure might need adjustment. At any sign of cracking or fraying, have the offender replaced. As for hoses, look for loose connections, unusual bulges, cracks, tears and holes.

 Tire pressure and tread depth affect traction in snow and rain. According to Bill Egan, chief engineer of advanced tire technology for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., a tire inflated at 32 pounds per square inch (psi) on a warm, 70-degree Fahrenheit day will register at an under-inflated 26 psi in freezing weather.

 Yet, it's important that tires be properly inflated because that's when they provide optimum traction. They also last longer when properly inflated. Egan says a tire loses 10 percent of its expected tread life for every 10 percent it's underinflated.

 Put at least one coat of wax on the exterior of your vehicle. It not only will protect your paint in the winter, it can help the snow and ice slide off more easily.

 Some auto experts also advise spraying WD-40 or graphite lubricant in all door and trunk locks. This can help keep doors from freezing closed. These lubricants can be found at local auto parts stores.

 Inspect and keep clean and in good working order your car's headlights, taillights, fog lamps, brake lights and defrosters, too. Don't forget to include your emergency flashers.