Prepare Your Car for Summer Road Trips
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Written by Eric Riddles
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Published on July 06, 2022
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Category: General Service
Summer is here which means it’s the perfect time for a road trip! To ensure your road trip and other summer plans remain as smooth as possible, it’s essential to properly prepare your vehicle. Check out our car care and supply checklist to help you prepare your car for summer travel!
Maintenance Checklist
The first step to preparing your car for summer travel is to ensure your car is in proper working order. Before starting your summer road trip, be sure to check these essential car parts:
1. Tires
To prevent your chances of getting a flat tire, or worse, having a blowout, it is important to inspect your tires on a regular basis and especially before travelling. Check for any cracks or gouges in the sidewall, your tire tread, and your tire pressure. If you notice any tire damage, uneven tread wear, or low tire pressure, be sure to take your car in to a mechanic near you for tire repair services.
2. Battery
There is little worse than becoming stranded on the side of the road with a dead car battery. Before your road trip, have a professional ensure your battery cables are clean and that your battery is still in good working order and have it replaced if needed.
3. Oil and Other Fluid Levels
Oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid , and power steering fluid are vital to your car’s performance. Before embarking on your summer adventure, ensure your car fluids are all at the correct level and touch up or replace if necessary.
Essential Road Trip Supplies
In addition to keeping your car in good working order, we also suggest stocking your car with a few safety and comfort essentials:
- Flashlight and Extra Batteries
- First-Aid Supplies
- Jumper Cables
- Reflectors
- Water Bottles and Snacks
- Neck Pillows and Blankets
- Car Activities
Contact Our Auto Care Professionals
At Custom Complete Automotive, we strive to ensure your car is properly prepared for all of your adventures. For more car care tips, or to learn more about our auto repair services, contact our team today!
Find an Auto Repair Shop Near You
We have multiple auto repair shops throughout Missouri located in Columbia, Jefferson City, and St. Louis.
Eric Riddles is an ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician who has been working as an auto mechanic since 1998 and originally joined the team at Custom Complete Automotive in 2005. Eric has numerous certifications in various aspects of car repair and spent 10 years training the next generation of auto technicians at a local high school Auto Shop classroom.