Summer break is right around the corner. And you know what that means? Road trips! Especially with the National Park’s Centennial this year, summer is the perfect time to see Arches National Park or Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Can your car take on the roads? Is it road trip ready? Don’t be caught on the side of the road without any snacks!
Here are four things you should do to get your car in order.
Schedule an Inspection
The last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. Make sure your car is road trip ready! At an inspection facility, you can arrange a pre-trip inspection. Have them check your fluids, wipers, brakes, tires, battery, lights, cruise control – everything to ensure a safe road trip.
Grab Your Papers
This includes your driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of car insurance, owner’s manual, warranty information, roadside assistance contact number, and a physical map! If you’re going through an area with no cell service, your map will definitely come in handy. Bring a sharpie, too, so you can track your progress and know where you are on the map if you get lost.
Check Your Weight
Not your body weight. Check your car’s load capacity, and try not to go over too much. This information can be located on the door placard inside the driver’s door jamb. Your car’s extra cargo can affect your fuel economy. In fact, if you’re hauling heavy loads and run into an emergency, this could make your car more difficult to handle or slow down in an emergency situation.
Pack Smart
Make sure you take a first aid kit! It’s good to have one around, even when you’re not going on a road trip. When you’re packing food, take a cooler and opt for non-messy foods. This can be fruits, vegetables, trail mixes, or granola bars. Hydrating is easily forgotten when you’re on the road, so pack a case of water! If your kids are in tow, pack games or videos to keep them occupied, and bring some relaxing music for yourself!
Bring a spare car key and have a responsible person hold onto it, just in case you lose your main key or lock it in the car. Consider getting a gas card because it could definitely save you some money in the long haul. Speaking of money, pack cash for unexpected situations like tolls, where you can’t use anything else. Don’t pack too heavy! You want to leave room for all the cool things you’re going to find along the way.
Wherever you’re going this summer, drive safe and follow the rules of the road.
Let Dillon’s Help You Get Your Car Ready
Before you ride off into the sunset, let our team do a pre-trip inspection to make sure your car is road trip ready. As a proud, family-owned business, we will deliver only the most honest and highest quality service possible. Contact us to let us know how we can help get your car in the right condition!
