Your Summer Road Trip Essentials

by Expert Contributor Jack Crowley, Jr., Owner of C&J Automotive Specialists

It’s been declared: Road trips are going to dominate this summer! After a year of COVID-19, it’s not surprising that traveling by car is this summer’s preferred and safe travel method. Here are a few things you should ensure are in their best shape before you embark on your trip, even if it’s just a trip down the shore!

TIRES

Maintaining your tires can yield better fuel economy, and with rising gas prices, you’ll want to squeeze every mile you can out of your tank. But tire maintenance doesn’t just mean inflating them to the correct pressure. You’ll also want to check for damage, uneven wear and tread depth.

Plan for the Worst: A flat tire! If you have a spare tire, make sure it’s in the same, good condition as the other four. Don’t forget to check your jack and other tools, and store them in a place easy to access in case of a flat tire.

A/C

When you think road trip, you probably think top down, music up, wind in your face. While that’s all good and fun, for many it’s not the most preferable way to drive for more than a few hours. Making sure your A/C is working at its best is a no-brainer for the summer, even if you don’t plan on taking a road trip.

Plan for the Worst: Don’t wait until your A/C breaks. Get it inspected now to have a cool, uninterrupted summer. If you’ve been noticing that the air isn’t getting as cold as it used to or less air is coming out, have it looked at by your mechanic.

BATTERY

Did you know that a flat or faulty battery is the most common cause of a breakdown? Visually inspecting your battery won’t tell you if it’s on the verge of failing, but it can show you if your battery is in need of replacement. When visually inspecting your battery, look for corrosion on the terminals, cracked casing or frayed cables.

Plan for the Worst: Your car’s battery dies! You can prepare for a dead battery by ensuring your jumper cables are in good condition. If you expect to be driving on isolated country roads, be extra-prepared by including a portable jump starter in your emergency kit, to be able to give yourself a jump-start without the need for another vehicle.

Don’t wait until the day of your trip to inspect these things. Plan ahead and get your vehicle inspected by your local mechanic so you can feel confident on every road trip — even the spontaneous ones!

Expert Contributor Jack Crowley, Jr., Owner of C&J Automotive Specialists