How to Get Your Car Ready for a Summer Road Trip

It’s summertime, which means it’s officially road trip time! Although vehicle maintenance is necessary all year-round, it’s particularly important before hitting the open road. Don’t let car trouble leave you stranded miles away in the middle of nowhere. Ensure that your car is ready for your next adventure by completing a few basic vehicle maintenance tasks first.

Top Off Fluids

Fluids are the lifeblood of your car and play a major role in your vehicle’s fuel economy and longevity. There are six essential fluids that must be routinely serviced to keep your car driving properly:
• Engine oil
• Radiator fluid
• Brake fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Transmission Fluid
• Windshield fluid

Service intervals on these fluids are generally tied to mileage. If you’re going to hit a service milestone mid-trip, be sure to schedule a service appointment to top off these essential fluids.

Inspect Your Tires

Every road tripper needs good gas mileage, and underinflated tires are guaranteed to affect your car’s fuel economy. Check the pressure and condition of all four tires before your road trip – preferably while the tires are cold – to ensure they’re properly inflated (remember to check the pressure on your car’s spare tire too). A trick to checking the condition of the tire tread is by using the penny method: insert a penny upside down between the treads on each tire. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, it’s probably time for a tire replacement. It may also be time for a tire rotation or alignment if you notice any uneven wear on the tires. Conversely, overinflated tires can negatively impact ride quality. The wrong air pressure can cause tires to wear unevenly, which shortens the lifespan of your tires. Find your car’s optimal PSI rating in the owner’s manual or on the sticker in the jamb of your driver’s side door. You should be checking tire pressure regularly and at the very least for every 1,000 miles as you travel.

Check the Brakes

Brake pads provide the friction your car needs to slow down and stop, and they gradually wear down the more you drive. It’s usually obvious when your car’s brake pads are worn due to the irritating squealing or screeching noise they make when they no longer have sufficient pad material. If your vehicle is making this sound – or any other odd noises – be sure to take it in for a service inspection before your road trip. Replacing the brake pads should take care of the screeching noise and, more importantly, make your road trip safer.

Check the Battery

If your car is more than two years old, it’s recommended to have your battery checked annually. Your car’s battery connectors should be tight and corrosion-free, otherwise you’ll need to disconnect the battery and clean the connectors with a wire brush. Keep in mind that the battery contains corrosive acid that can leak if battery connectors are forced off, so leave this to a professional if you’re unfamiliar with how to check and clean your car’s battery.

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By taking a few steps to ensure your car is in good shape before your next road trip, you can avoid spending your valuable vacation time inside a repair shop.
Is a summer road trip on your calendar? Our highly trained service technicians are happy to help prepare your car for the adventure!