Summer is just around the corner. Before you go on a road trip, however, you’ll want to make sure your car is ready to hit the road! Here are a few things to consider as you get your car ready for summer.
Clean it
Cars inevitably get messy, both inside and out, during the summer months. Between hiking trips, pool outings, and road trips, it’s rare your car is ever clean! So don’t start summer with a dirty car. Completely vacuum and dust the inside and hit a car wash for the outside.
Inspect it
Make sure those tire treads are still good and check the pressure as well. Old tires don’t just create an uncomfortable ride for you and your passengers, they’re also dangerous. Check the oil, your brakes, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power-steering fluid. Make sure your battery is in working order as well. If you don’t have time or don’t know how to check those things yourself, ask a friend to teach you how! Or have a local mechanic to do it for you.
Stock it
Create an emergency kit so that your car has everything you might need if you break down. Some things to include are tools (including whatever tools you need for changing a tire), a small fire extinguisher, jumper cables, drinking water, etc. Check out the DMV’s full list of essentials.
You may think preparing your car for the summer isn’t all that important. But you’ll probably think otherwise if you break down on the side of the road in the summer heat! Trust us, it’s worth putting a little time and effort into making sure your car is safe.