Going on a road trip in the summer is always a good idea. Not only does this alleviate boredom, but it helps you de-stress in the stressful heat and is a great way to bring in some refreshing perspective. However, before you do go on that summer ride, be sure to get the essentials covered. Here is an easy-to-use checklist to have your car summer-ready. Once done, you’re on your way to enjoying your summer like never before.
Clean up your car’s interior and trunk then add in the summer gear. The last thing you need is deadweight so take off all irrelevant seasonal gear. Clean and vacuum your trunk then empty it to make room for the things you need for summer like a golf bag, swimsuit, baseball glove, Frisbee, and other things depending on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. Also, be sure to properly apply some quality treatment on your leather seats making them pliable for the summer’s extreme heat.
Check air conditioning. It is important to give your A/C a test before going anywhere. Have everything set to the coolest and be sure to check on the quality of air by checking on the air filters. Be sure your filters can catch dirt or pollutants and can absorb odors. You can even go as far as changing the air filter to increase fuel efficiency for better mileage.
Have your windows tinted. Tinted windows are like sunscreen to your skin and we all know how important it is to use sunscreen especially during the hot summer days. Getting your windows tainted will block the harmful UV rays from the sun and keeps everyone inside well-protected. This also keeps the car’s upholstery in good condition
Change your wiper blades if needed. In the summer, thunderstorms usually happen. Heavy drops of water come along with these kinds of storms and of course, you’d need to be sure that your wiper blades are in good condition. If wipers aren’t changed, the rubber can tear and incur cracks during a heavy rainfall.
Check the battery, tires, breaks, and engine oil. The summer strains a car’s battery because of the rise in temperature. What happens is the battery fluid evaporates leading to the car’s poor performance. Be sure, then, that your car’s battery is in top shape. When it comes to the tires and breaks, be extra keen. Check for signs of damage and be sure that your tires are aligned properly to avoid danger. Finally, since the engine most likely overheats in the summer, changing the engine oil and filter is a must. You don’t want to end up stranded somewhere miles away without any help at all.
Don’t forget the grub, dude! Going on road trips without food is senseless and so, be sure to have some snacks and drinks in the car. Some great food items to have are chocolate, cheese slices, ice packs, sandwiches, salad, soda, cut and washed fresh fruit, very cold water, chips, gum and candy, and some instant noodles. And because the food is best enjoyed with music, be sure you have a wicked playlist to boost up the mood wherever your trip leads you.
