About 46 million people will be hitting the road for holiday travel by the end of the year, according to figures released by the AAA. That's an increase of more than 4 percent over last year. The best part, though, is that gas prices will be an average of 46 cents less per gallon than a year ago. Prices haven't been any lower since 2009.

You could even get to spend more on presents, but some analysts believe higher retail prices could hamper that. Regardless, you can still drive more on your fuel budget than you might have thought.

If you're on the roads for any amount of time, though, the staffers at Christian Brothers in Fishers, IN recommend performing a wintertime auto checkup before you head out. More driving means your likelihood of dealing with ice and snow goes up, making this particularly important.

Stop by our shop in Fishers and we will help with the following advice by the Car Care Council:

• Clean and flush the antifreeze and cooling
• Do a headlight check for winter driving conditions
• Switch to “winter weight” oil and do an oil change
• Check the tire tread and pressure
• Check the spark plugs
• Make sure the heater and your car's engine thermostat are working properly
• Examine the vehicle for dangerous carbon monoxide leaks
• Test the braking system
• Check the alternator, starter and battery

There are also steps for safety that you should take on your own, including stocking the car with an extra set of warm clothes and boots, food and a flashlight, cables and simple tools and tools. We also recommend that you never run on an empty tank to prevent frozen fuel lines.