Summer is fast approaching, which means many people might be planning a road trip. Just as you get your vehicle ready for the winter months, it is important to ensure you, and your mode of transportation are ready for the task in warmer months. So, today let’s chat about a few things to keep in mind to travel safe this season. 

Preparing Your Vehicle 

It is good practice to give your vehicle a servicing before setting off on any journey, but particularly important when preparing to travel long-distance. When preparing your vehicle before a trip: 

• Check your fuel and oil levels.
• Check your tire pressure.
• Make sure your lights are working, and carry some spare bulbs.
• When carrying large luggage, ensure the weight is evenly distributed around your vehicle, especially if you travel in a hilly or mountainous area.

Even a well-maintained vehicle can break down, so it’s advisable to put together an emergency roadside kit to carry with you. A cell phone tops the suggested emergency kit contents list since it allows you to call for help when and where you need it. Additional recommended emergency roadside kit contents include: 

• Cell phone and charger
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Flares and a warning flag
• Jumper cables
• Tire pressure gauge
• Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire
• Work gloves and a change of clothes
• Essential repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak)
• Water and paper towels for cleaning up
• Non-perishable food, drinking water, and medicines
• Extra windshield washer fluid
• Maps (paper maps are good backups if you lose cellular service)
• Emergency blankets, towels, and coats
  

Air Conditioning 

As the temperature rises, your A/C must work harder to keep your vehicle cool. Check A/C performance before travelling. A lack of air conditioning on a hot summer day affects everyone but is hazardous for people in poor health or sensitive to heat, such as children and older adults. 

The summertime heat has proven to be especially deadly for children regarding vehicular heatstroke. Heatstroke in vehicles often occurs when a child is left unattended in a parked vehicle or manages to get into an unattended vehicle. Never leave children alone in the car, not even for a few minutes. Vehicles heat up quickly and remember a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than adults. 

High summer temperatures accelerate the rate at which rubber belts and hoses degrade. Look under the hood and inspect all belts and hoses to ensure there are no signs of bulges, blisters, cracks, or cuts in the rubber. It’s best to replace them now if they show noticeable wear. While you’re at it, make sure all hose connections are secure. 

Tires

Ensure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure, listed in your owner’s manual and on a placard on the driver’s side door frame. Don’t forget to check your spare if your vehicle has one. Do not inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the tire itself. That number is the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle. A tire doesn’t have to be punctured to lose air. All tires naturally lose some over time. Underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure. Some other tips: 

• Inspect your tires at least once a month and before long road trips.
• Look closely at your tread and replace tires with uneven wear or insufficient tread.
• Tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch or greater on all tires. Look for the built-in wear bar indicators or the penny test to determine when to replace your tires. For Americans, place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your vehicle needs new tires. For Canadians, insert a nickel, with Queen Elizabeth’s crown facing down, if you can see the top of the Queen’s crown, the tire is below 2/32 inches.
• If you find uneven wear across the tires’ tread, your tires need rotation, and your wheels must be aligned before travelling.
• Check each tire’s age. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six years, regardless of use.
• Tires for electric vehicles are heavier, but all tires require the same maintenance. Low-rolling-resistance tires for conventional cars could also have lower tread life.
• Check for any damage or conditions that may need attention, such as the tread and sidewalls, for any cuts, punctures, bulges, scrapes, cracks, or bumps. The track should be at least 2/32 of an inch or greater on all tires; and your spare tire.

If you find tire damage, take your vehicle to a repair and replacement specialist.  

Cooling System 

Ensure you have enough coolant in your vehicle and that the coolant meets the manufacturer’s specifications. See your vehicle owner’s manual for specific recommendations on coolant. You or a mechanic should check the cooling system for leaks, test the coolant, and drain or replace the old coolant as needed. 

Fluid Levels

Check your vehicle’s oil level periodically. As with coolant, if it’s time or nearly time to change the oil, now would be a good time to do it. Also, check the following fluid levels:  

• Brake fluid
• Automatic transmission or clutch
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield washer fluid

Ensure each reservoir is topped up, and if you see any signs of fluid leakage, take your vehicle in to be serviced.

Batteries

Have a mechanic check your battery and charging system and have them make any necessary repairs or replacements. For hybrid-electric vehicles, keep gasoline in the tank to support the gasoline engine. 

Lights 

Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights. Be sure also to check your trailer brake lights and turn alerts, if necessary. Carry spare bulbs if you are going to remote areas. 

Wiper Blades 

After the heavy toll imposed by winter storms and spring rains, windshield wiper blades may need to be replaced. Like rubber belts and hoses, wiper blades are vulnerable to summer heat. Examine your blades for signs of wear and tear on both sides. The blades can also deform and fail to work correctly in both directions. If they aren’t in top condition, invest in new ones before you go. 

The last thing you want is to spend your holiday stuck somewhere other than your desired destination, with a vehicle that won’t work! Planning before you leave can reduce your stress while on your vacation, ensuring you stay safe, and enjoy your time away.