2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. Photo Credit: Subaru.

Driving Tips

Summer Road Trip Checklist For Your Car

Written By: CarPro | Jun 22, 2023 12:33:00 PM

It's summertime and that means many of you will be taking road trips - be it to the mountains, the beach or a different city.  Regardless of where the road takes you, there are things you should do to make sure your car, SUV or truck is ready for the journey. (The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is pictured above.) Here are some tips provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration before packing up and hitting the road.


Summer Road Tip Checklist


✅ Check for Recalls

Before you head out, check for vehicle recalls. You don't want to be on the road in a vehicle with an open one.  You can check by looking up your VIN number on the NHTSA's VIN lookup tool.  It will tell you if a vehicle has been repaired as part of a recall in the past 15 years. Head to NHTSA.gov/Recalls. 

✅ Get Your Car Serviced

Also get your car serviced - especially with the summer heat just getting started in many parts of the country. You'll want to make sure your oil is changed, fluids are full, and the battery is in good shape. Tire rotations are another good idea.  If you don't know the service history of a vehicle you're taking out on the road, you'll want to schedule a preventive maintenance checkup with your mechanic right away.  Here are some things to check:

  • Battery

    Have your mechanic check your battery, charging system, and belts, and have him or her 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 to also check your trailer brake lights and turn signals, if necessary.

  • Cooling System

    Make sure 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 old coolant as needed.

  • Fluid Level

    Check your vehicle’s oil level periodically. As with coolant, if it’s time or even nearly time to have the oil changed, now would be a good time to do it. In addition, check the following fluid levels: brake, automatic transmission or clutch, power steering, and windshield washer. Make sure each reservoir is full; if you see any signs of fluid leakage, take your vehicle in to be serviced.

  • Belts and Hoses

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

  • 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 the summer heat. Examine your blades for signs of wear and tear on both sides. The blades can also deform and fail to work properly in both directions. If they aren’t in top condition, invest in new ones before you go.

  • Air Conditioning

    Check A/C performance before traveling. Lack of air conditioning on a hot summer day affects people who are in poor health or who are sensitive to heat, such as children and older adults.


✅ Make Sure Your Tires Are Correctly Maintained

Tires are critical to your safety on the road. Make sure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure, which you'll find in your owner’s manual and on a placard located on the driver’s side door frame. The correct pressure is NOT the number listed on the tire. Be sure to check tires when they are cold, which means the car hasn’t been driven for at least three hours. 

Some other tire tips:

  • Inspect your tires at least once a month and before long road trips.
  • Look closely at your tread and replace tires that have 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 use the penny test to determine when it’s time to replace your tires. 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.
  • If you find uneven wear across the tires’ tread, it means your tires need rotation and/or your wheels need to be aligned before you travel.
  • 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 vehicles could also have lower tread life.

An inspection is not just about checking tire pressure and age. Remember to check:

  • for any damage or conditions that may need attention;
  • the tread and sidewalls for any cuts, punctures, bulges, scrapes, cracks, or bumps. The tread 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 tire professional. 

Check out NHTSA.gov/Tires for tire ratings before buying new ones, and for more information on tire safety.

 

✅ Check Your Floor Mats

Make sure your floor mats are properly installed. If they're not they could interfere with the operation of the gas accelerator or brake pedal an increase the risk of a crash. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mat installation, use retention clips to secure the mat and prevent it from sliding forward, and always use mats that are the correct size and fit for your vehicle.  


✅ Know Your Car

Remember you car comes with an owners manual - either a hard copy or now many have are provided digitally through your vehicle's multimedia system.  Take time to look at it and familiarize yourself with your vehicle's features. If you're renting a car, become familiar with it before driving off the lot.  

✅ Plan Your Travel and Route

Plan your route and check the road conditions, weather forecast and traffic before you leave. Always familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, even if you use a GPS system, and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time.

 

Stock Your Vehicle

The NHTSA also recommends keeping a well-stocked vehicle just in case of an emergency.  Its recommended emergency roadside kit contents include:

  • Cell phone and charger
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Flares and a white flag
  • Jumper cables
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire
  • Work gloves and a change of clothes
  • Basic repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak)
  • Water and paper towels for cleaning up
  • Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines
  • Extra windshield washer fluid
  • Maps
  • Emergency blankets, towels and coats

You can find more NHTSA safety tips here.

 

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Photo Credit Subaru.