Nearly 46 million travelers will be hitting the road for the holidays by the end of the year, according to the AAA. That's up 4 percent over the 2013 holiday season. The best part, though, is that fuel costs will be about 46 cents less per gallon than a year ago. We haven't seen these kind of prices since 2009.

You might even get to spend more on other Christmas items, but some analysts think that higher retail costs could offset any spending gains. Nevertheless, you can still drive more on your fuel budget than you probably expected.

If you're traveling at all, however, the mechanics at Christian Brothers in Knoxville, TN recommend performing a wintertime auto checkup first. The more you drive, your chances of dealing with things such as ice and snow increases.

Come by, and we will help with the following advice by the Car Care Council:

• Flush and clean the antifreeze and cooling
• Check the headlamps for winter driving
• Get an oil change
• Kick those tires and check tread
• Make sure you're on schedule for spark plugs
• Test the thermostat and heater
• Examine the vehicle for health-threatening CO2
• Doublecheck the braking system
• Check the battery and alternator

You should also do things such as stocking the car with emergency food, clothing and tools. one more tip: never run on an empty tank to prevent frozen fuel lines.