How to Prep for the Perfect Summer Car Trip

How to Prep for the Perfect Summer Car Trip

It’s that time of year when everyone gears up for a summer adventure. In stats released by AAA, an estimated 36.6 million travelers hit the road in an automobile during Memorial Day weekend. And we are likely to see the same numbers over July and August.

This statistic is at a 5 percent increase from last year. And there are plenty of good reasons vehicular travel is favored by travelers over planes, trains, buses, and cruise ships.

For one, it is cost effective. Which means you get to put your money toward fun vacation spending, such as eating out and hotel stays. It also allows scheduling flexibility as you do not need to worry about missing a flight.

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With so many people on the road, however, you will want to pay attention to safety issues.

According to West Coast Trial Lawyers, a Los Angeles car accident lawyer,”Millions of Americans are injured every year in motor vehicle accidents. Thousands of innocent people are killed, and those who survive often walk away with permanent disabilities, including brain damage and spinal cord injuries.”

The reason for traffic accidents varies from car maintenance issues to distracted driving. But you can greatly reduce your risk by making sure you are prepared for your summer roadtrip. Here is your to-do checklist before you head out.

Get your oil changed and your coolant flushed.

An oil change will keep your vehicle’s engine running as it should. When temperatures climb, as they do during summer, your engine might have the tendency to overheat. Having a regular oil change and your coolant flushed will minimize that risk.

Oil changes are simple enough to do on your own. Don’t have time to pull up a DIY YouTube video and learn this skill? Or perhaps you would rather leave it to the professionals? Whatever the case, make sure your car goes in for maintenance and an oil change before you set out.

Check your headlights.

Are your vehicle’s headlights in working order? Extreme weather patterns have been on the rise. So having working headlights will keep you safe if you get caught in a freak summer storm.

Test that your headlights are working as they should. Replace bulbs that need replacement and clean them out if they are fogged up.

Fine tune your AC.

Have you ever experienced being stuck in traffic in the middle of summer when your AC was on the blink? If so, you know the importance of making sure your air conditioner is in good condition before a long road trip.

Check your AC settings and make sure that each level is responsive. If cranking up the AC to high only emits a weak amount of cool air, you might need to have it looked at. Having a working AC is essential for preventingheat stroke as you travel from place to place.

Inspect your tires.

Avoid a blowout on the road by making sure your tires are not worn out in places. Additionally, a preventative move that you should perform every so often is to have your tires rotated. This keeps your tires from wearing out at different speeds.

While you may be able to evaluate your tires on your own, rotating them takes a little more effort. If you do not have someone with sufficient muscle power to lend you a hand, let the professionals take care of it.

Pack an emergency road kit.

An emergency road kit will tide you over in a worst-case scenario. Make sure you include one in your packing list. Emergency road kits are often sold at Home Depots and online stores.

Most survival experts recommend the following essentials:

  • a first aid kit
  • fire extinguisher
  • road flares
  • rain ponchos
  • tar
  • duct tape
  • flashlight and batteries
  • water and snacks
  • multipurpose tool

The best emergency kit is one that is tailored to where you will be traveling to, your health needs, and who you will be traveling with. So tailor your kit accordingly.

Plot your route in advance.

For long-distance trips, make sure you mark out places where you will stop for a break or a quick bite to eat. Look at various routes the day before and research scenic routes as well as shortcuts and best places to stop. Accidents can hold up traffic on certain roads, or construction could cause you to need to redirect your route. Planning in advance will provide you with options.

 

 

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How to Prep for the Perfect Summer Car Trip
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