With summer just around the corner, many people are anxiously awaiting the start of their summer holidays. Summer holidays are a tradition with so many across the country, giving them a chance to make the best of the gorgeous weather and take a break from work and the craziness of everyday life. If your summer vacation entails hitting the open road in your vehicle, then there are a few preparatory steps that you may want to take. Preparing your vehicle for a long haul summer road trip will ensure that the trip goes smoothly and comfortably.
Check Your Tire Pressure
The first thing you’ll want to do is check that your tire pressure on all four tires is correct. Driving around with tires that are over or under-inflated will eat up all kinds of extra gas, put extra wear and tear on the tires, and can be dangerous. If you don’t own a tire gauge just head to your local gas station and use the ones provided there.
Top Off All the Fluids
It’s also a good idea to top off all the fluids before you leave so you don’t run into issues while on the road. The fluids you will want to check are the engine oil, antifreeze/coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. With today’s vehicles many will let you know when you are running low on these fluids, but it doesn’t hurt to do a quick inspection yourself.
Organize the Storage Section of the Vehicle
Packing the vehicle can be a real chore, especially if there is no organization or thought given to it. In order to make the best use of the space you may want to consider picking up a trunk organizer. These are great for storing smaller items that can otherwise roll around and get lost in the mess. Not only that but because of the way they are designed, you’ll find you are able to store a lot more thanks to these organizers.
Be sure to check out the blog on truckersection.com about how to pick the best trunk organizer.
Is Your Air Conditioning Working Properly?
Driving around in the hot summer sun means it won’t take long for your vehicle to get hot. If you’re traveling with others in the car, the extra body heat will only contribute to the overall temperature in the vehicle. This is why it’s a good idea to ensure that your air conditioning is working well. If it seems to be weaker than normal you can always book an appointment to have it checked.
Put Together a Roadside Emergency Kit
The final tip is to make sure you’ve got a roadside emergency kit with you in the car. Items to include in the kit include flares or triangle reflectors, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, motor oil, a blanket, a small tool kit, flashlight with extra batteries, a couple bottles of water and granola bars, a spray bottle with wiper fluid in it, paper towels, and a pen and paper.
Now that you’ve planned and organized, you’re ready to hit the road and enjoy your summer road trip.
