It’s summertime, and that means time to plan for family road trips. We Americans love road trips – they’re a fun and affordable way to get your whole group of friends or family somewhere, with awesome stops and views along the way. But if you want your road trip to go according to plan, it’s essential that you make sure your car is in perfect road trip condition. If you just fill it up with gas and miss the other necessary checks, you could end up creating unnecessary stops along the way and even put your family and friends in danger. So, before hitting the road, there are several things you need to do to make sure that your car is ready for a summer road trip…
#1 Make sure your car is up to service
Even if you think you had your car serviced somewhat recently, you need to remember that taking your car on a long road trip will quickly add those miles that will bring your car back to a condition in need of service again. So, taking your vehicle in for a car service before you go is your best bet to ensure it is in and stays in, proper operating condition.
#2 Check all your tires
Making sure that your tires are properly inflated and not worn out is very important before taking your car for a long trip. Especially during the summer months, the excess heat can drain your tires even more if they are already underinflated. Underinflated tires will not only immensely affect your gas mileage, costing you money, but will also put you and your family in danger on the hot roads, as you will be at a higher risk for a blowout. While you are checking your tires, be sure to also check that your spare tire is ready to go and in good condition, just in case you need it.
#3 Make sure you keep your engine cool
Before a long road trip, you need to make sure your car is prepared to keep your engine cool. You need to make sure that your coolant is full and adequate as well as that all the coolant’s hoses, etc., are in proper working condition.
#4 Check your air conditioner
In Texas, we know how important a good car air conditioning system is, so you want to make sure that yours is in proper working condition before you head out of town. Make sure that the air blowing out is crisp and cold and not just lukewarm. If you notice it seems less cold than normal, best case scenario, you need a new filter, and worst case scenario, you could maybe have a leak. Your best bet is to take it to a professional to have this assessed and fixed before hitting the road.
#5 Check your headlights
When you are driving down dark, unfamiliar roads, you want to make sure that you have a clear sight, and that means proper-working headlights. Make sure all your headlights and taillights work and are clear, as this is can be a safety hazard if they don’t (or you could end up getting pulled over). If your headlights are foggy and dirty, it may prohibit you from seeing properly.
Making sure that your car is up to service and in good condition before hitting the road is crucial. If you are looking for a trusted McKinney car shop, here at Nortex Lube & Tune, we can help. Let our trusted team of mechanical experts do what we do to make sure you and your family are safe on the road. Contact us today and let’s get going.