Summer Road Trip: Getting Your Car Ready For The Journey

(image: pixabay)

Summer is upon us and chances are you will be planning to head out on a road trip this summer. Of course, you won’t be going anywhere if your car isn’t up to the journey, so now is the time to make sure your car is ready for the road ahead.

Whether you are planning a short trip or are going across the country, follow the advice below to ensure your car is prepared for the adventures lying ahead.


Service your car

While there are some basic checks on your car you can do yourself, you should consider taking it to a local garage and giving it a thorough service. Knowing your car is roadworthy is going to give you peace of mind.

Don’t miss out on any aspects of maintenance, as everything in your car needs to be in good working order. Check your fluid levels, and ensure all your lights turn on correctly, particularly as you may be driving through the night.

Inspect your wheels, and make sure your tyres are blown up to the correct proportions, with no cracks or tears at the sides. Should you be heading off road, it may be worth changing your tyres to a set that is ready for the change in environment.

Your road trip is going to get off to a bad start if you can’t get your car to leave the driveway, so check the battery and make sure it is fully charged. Once underway, you need to ensure the drivability is safe, so test out your brake pads, and make sure every aspect of the dashboard is working as it should.

Modify your car

We aren’t talking about pimping your ride here. Rather, kit out your car out with the essential items for the trip. From the exterior to the interior, you may want to make a few modifications.

Floor liners and seat covers are useful, as having your kids in the car will guarantees the risk of spillage. Should you be towing a trailer, you will need a rear mounted hitch. You may decide to ditch the car on your journey and head off on your bikes, so make sure you have the correct attachments. A company such as Partsengine will have many of the parts your car needs for the journey.

Be prepared

You need to prepare for the unexpected, so make sure your car is stocked with the essential extras, from a first aid kit to an extra cell phone charger.

Should you have the kids along with you, they will need things to do. Therefore, make sure their mobile gaming devices are fully charged, and have some ideas for car games to alleviate boredom.

With the sun bearing down on you, make sure you have plenty of bottled water to keep you hydrated, and to give you an impromptu shower when your body needs cooling down.
Finally, you don’t want to get lost on your travels, so bring your GPS system, as you never know when you might need it.

Have a fantastic summer!