How To Prepare For Summer Driving

The weather is getting hotter as we roll into summer and you’re probably thinking about a summer vacation or a road or camping trip. One thing you should do before heading out is to ensure that your car is running efficiently and smoothly – especially if you’re going on extended road trips. Here is a checklist of some of the things you should consider:

Check Your Tires

Tire and tire pressure are (of course) something that needs to be checked regularly all year round. You’ll want to ensure your tires are in good shape before going on any long road trips. Tires should be rotated roughly every 5,000 miles and should be checked at least once a month.

Make sure you check your spare tire and jack are in good working order for emergencies. Nothing is worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere without a working spare tire.

Also, if you’ve been procrastinating and haven’t removed your winter tires do it now as you don’t want to unnecessarily wear down your treads. You’ll need those winter tires for when it snows, and all-weather tires are best for longevity and to grip those long, dry roads.

Clean Your Car

Yet another thing you might be procrastinating on, even if you’re a car enthusiast your vehicle has probably gone a while without a good clean. If there ever is a time to make your car look all shiny and new summertime is that time. You’ll probably have lots of friends or family members riding in it – people who you haven’t seen in a long time and you should make your car look its best.

Check Your Brakes

Brakes are an obvious thing you need to ensure are in good working order before any travel– doesn’t matter long or short. You will need to get a professional mechanic to check them. If you have less than 1/4th a brake pad you’ll want to replace it. Also if you notice any noises, shaking or grinding then you should get them checked out immediately. Better to spend a little extra money now and avoid an accident.

Check Your Coolant

In the hot summer months, keeping your car cool is vitally important. In fact, it’s the greatest cause of breakdowns during the summer. Ensure the coolant is topped off. Keep an eye out for leaks, especially at connection points such as the where the hose joins the engine block.

Check Your Battery

Batteries are another thing that require regular checkups with your body shop. Depending on how much you drive, a car battery will need to be changed every three or four years. After five you get into the danger zone and it becomes unreliable. If your battery is old, it’s best to get it changed for any long trips.

Check Your Air Conditioning

You don’t want to be travelling in the summer heat without air conditioning. It can turn a fun time with your friends and family into a hot sweaty mess. Your A/C system should be inspected by a qualified technician.

Few things spoil a vacation like mechanical issues and it would be a shame if you aren’t prepared. Remember, whenever you travel you should keep a copy of your car’s warranty, insurance, and car manual in your glove compartment in case of emergency. If you don’t have a roadside assistance membership, you might consider getting one. There are plenty of benefits.

However, if you’re involved in a crash don’t hesitate to give us a call. Prancing Horse Autobody is considered the trusted experts in collision and auto body repair.