Summer Road Trip Checklist

Taking a trip is a cherished rite of summer, but before you hit the road, you’ll need to prepare your vehicle to make the journey. After all, you don’t want car trouble away from home to put the brakes on your road trip.

Take the following steps to ensure your car is ready to take you safely to and from your destination:

Check your tires.

Check all four tires (as well as your spare tire, if you have one) for signs of wear or damage that could increase your risk of having a blowout or hydroplaning on a wet road. Have them replaced if necessary. If they look to be in good shape, check the tire pressure when your tires are cool. They should be inflated to a recommended pressure that’s listed in your owner’s manual as well as on the drive side door jamb. This task is important because properly inflated tires can help reduce the amount of gas your vehicle uses, and tires without enough pressure are more likely to fail.

Have your brakes inspected.

If your brakes feel mushy when you press down on them, make a grinding or squealing sound, or cause a vibration when you apply them, it’s usually a sign that something’s wrong and your brakes should be inspected by a professional. Even if you don’t have an obvious issue with your brakes, it’s a good precaution to have their pads, rotors, shoes, drum, and fluid checked before heading out on your road trip.

Check and replace air filters if needed.

Most cars have an engine air filter that traps dirt, bugs, and other debris so only clean air flows in the engine. They also have a cabin air filter that cleans the air that comes into your vehicle’s interior through your air conditioning/heating and ventilation system. If these filters become too dirty, they’ll need to be replaced.

Change your vehicle’s oil.

Your owner’s manual should tell you how often your vehicle’s oil needs to be changed. Having it checked – and changed, if necessary – will help keep your car running smoothly and will also help improve your fuel efficiency. The oil filter should also be checked and replaced if needed to reduce wear on your engine.

Make sure your vehicle’s lighting is working properly.

Check your car’s exterior headlights, brake lights, and blinkers to make sure they’re all working properly and that no bulbs are burnt out. Then check your interior lights and replace any bulbs as needed.

Check belts and hoses.

Look at the belts and hoses under your car’s hood for any evidence of cracks, cuts, bulges, blisters, or obvious wear. They degrade more quickly in hot temperatures, so it’s important to check them before heading out on your road trip.

Test your car’s air conditioner.

Turn on your car’s air conditioner and cycle through its various settings to make sure it’s working properly. An air conditioner failure might not cause your car to break down, but it sure can make everyone hot and cranky for the rest of the trip! If your air conditioner runs and blows out properly but the air isn’t cool enough, it may need more refrigerant.

Preparing your car for a summer road trip can take some time and know-how. If you’d like to leave these tasks to the professionals at BBack Car Care, request an appointment online or call our service desk. We can perform a pre-trip check and if we find any issues, we’ll explain your options so you can hit the road safely.