7 Key Things to Take Care of Before Your Big Summer Road Trip

Even though summer is in full swing, a new school year and cooler temperatures are just around the corner. With that in mind, families and adventurers across the United States are gearing up to take to the highways for one final epic road trip. But before you pack down the family van and put your stops into your GPS, it’s important to make sure your car is road ready.

According to Travel Agent Central, Americans spend about $101 billion on summer vacations, including road trips across the country. Part of that spending goes toward maintenance, and for good reason. Being stuck on the side of the road in the hot desert or humid countryside isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun holiday.

Here are some important car care tips to take care of before you head out on the open road.

1. Ensure Insurance is Up to Date

Before you check your oil and kick the tires, it’s important to make sure your finances and car are kept safe. Having the right amount of auto insurance key to protecting your bottom line in the event of an auto-related claim. Accidents happen, so having locally sourced coverage, such as auto insurance CT, can help to protect your family’s car when it needs to get fixed.

2. Check Engine Oil

Make sure to check the levels of oil in your engine and the date that you’re due for a change. One thing that can absolutely lead to a breakdown in the desert is an engine that needs a fresh oil change. If you’re approaching the manufacturer-recommended oil change interval, go ahead and make an appointment to change the oil or change it yourself.

3. Check on Transmission and Other Fluids

There are other oil reserves in your car’s engine that can have a major effect on its overall performance. Both your transmission and drive axle have their own lubricant supply in store, so make sure to check your owner’s manual for the change intervals.

4. Look at Your Hoses

When hoses in your car are exposed to everyday use and elements such as heat and humidity, they wear thin. The rubber becomes squishy and unable to function properly after a few years. Give a good look at where both the input and output radiator hoses attach to the engine and the radiator. If there’s extra stress on the hose from the pipe collar and hose clamp it means they’ll crack and fail soon.

5. Examine Engine Belts

Check the engine belts by turning them sideways to spot the friction surface. If there are any tears, cracks or fiber cords showing, it’s time for a replacement. If your car is setting at 50,000 miles or less, it’s probably okay to run. Older cars, or those with more miles on them, need more attention, so make sure they get the service they need, even just to double-check.

6. Replace Engine Coolant

Newer vehicles come equipped with engine coolant that’s designed to go up to 150,000 as a standard. If your car is less than four years old, just give the reservoir a good once-over and top it off if you need to.

7. Measure Your Tire Pressure

You can’t go very far if your tires aren’t up to snuff. Most people think that the right tire pressure is listed on the tire itself, but the actual number on the tire is the maximum amount of pressure instead. Combine that with extreme heat and high speeds, and you have a problem on your hands. Check out the correct tire pressure before you leave with a gauge or by stopping in at your local mechanic.

About Byrnes Agency

At Byrnes Agency, we offer insurance solutions that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for personal policies or commercial coverage, we have the right coverage for you. To learn more about our products, contact us today at one of our two locations.

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