Tips to Get Your Car Ready for a Summer Road Trip

Take these steps to prep your car for a road trip.mother and child sticking head out of car window

Planning on hitting the road this summer?  Before you go, it’s important to get your car ready.  Not sure what you should do to prepare your car for your road trip?  Then here are some of the tasks that you should complete.

Take Care of Routine Maintenance

There are several car maintenance tasks that you can take care of on your own.  For instance, you should handle things like cleaning your windows, windshield, and mirrors; replacing your windshield wiper blades, and monitoring your tire pressure.  Taking these steps now will make driving long distances safer for you and your loved ones.

Have Your Car Professionally Serviced

Before you leave on your road trip, it’s important to have your car professionally serviced to ensure that you make it to your destination without any mechanical issues.  Some of the things that you should ask your mechanic to look at include your radiator, battery, and air conditioner.

  • Radiator– If you suffered through an icy, snowy winter, then driving along heavily salted roads may have caused damage to your car’s radiator. This can lead to your car’s engine leaking and eventually overheating.  To ensure that your car’s radiator is in good shape, ask your mechanic to check for damage and clogs that prevent engine coolant from circulating through your engine.  In some cases, your mechanic may have to flush your car’s cooling system to address potential issues.
  • Battery– Heat can cause battery fluid to evaporate, which can lead to corrosion. If it’s been a while since you last purchased a battery, then take your car into the mechanic and have them inspect your battery to check that your fluid levels are adequate.  This will ensure that your battery doesn’t die and leave you stranded.
  • Air Conditioner– If your AC feels week, then it could be blocked or need more Freon. While getting your car’s air conditioner fixed might seem like a needless expense, remember that the belt operating your AC might also be powering other parts of your engine.  Ignoring a weak AC could cause your engine to overheat during your road trip.

Be Reasonable

If your car is older or has had mechanical issues in the past, then you should seriously consider renting a car for your road trip.  While this will come at a cost, making this financial investment could prevent you from breaking down and being stranded by the side of the road.  Be realistic when evaluating your car’s condition and, if you feel any doubt about its reliability, look for alternative transportation options.

These are some of the things that you should take care of before setting off on a summer road trip.  Remember, no road trip is complete without the right auto insurance protection.  For assistance with all your car coverage needs, contact the experts at ISU-Wissink Insurance in Culver City, California.