• Home
  • About Evelyn Kanter
  • Evelyn Kanter’s Books & Apps
  • Evelyn Kanter In The News
  • Workshops
  • NYC Travel Guru

Evelyn Kanter ecoXplorer

green living, smart spending

  • Green Hotels
  • Green Cars
    • Best Cars under $20,000
    • Test Drives
    • Diesel Cars
    • Electric Cars
    • Hybrid Cars
    • Hydrogen Fuel Cell
    • Luxury Drives
  • Travel Deals
    • Free
    • Budget Travel
    • Discount Tickets
  • Xplore More
    • Safety and Health
    • How To
    • Five Best
    • Travel Pioneers
    • Motorcycles
    • Vintage Cars
  • Scam Alert
  • Where to Go Next
    • Historic Travel
    • Epic Adventures
    • National Parks
Home » Get Road Trip Ready for Summer Getaways

Get Road Trip Ready for Summer Getaways

Leave a Comment

tips for stress-free road tripRoad trips are back in style, with many of us deciding not to fly during these strange days of social distancing.

Here are some easy and common sense tips for getting your car, SUV or truck road trip ready, whether you are planning a short drive or a longer getaway, especially if you haven’t been using your vehicle much these last few weeks.

Be Road Trip Ready

The AAA expects to be called on to rescue nearly eight million of us who break down at the roadside for various reasons.

Top reasons for breakdowns are flat tires, lockouts and dead batteries.

AAA automotive experts recommend these car care tips to prepare your vehicle for a summer road trip, whether that’s a holiday weekend getaway or a longer road trip.


how to avoid road rage

SEE ALSO

Tips for avoiding road rage

What to do if you are pulled over


how to measure tire treadTires

Make sure to inflate tires to the recommended pressure listed in the owner’s manual or on the driver-side doorjamb.

Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold.  Even a short trip to the nearest gas station can change the reading.

To check tread wear, insert a quarter upside down. If the top of George Washington’s head is visible at any point, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.

Battery

After three years, have your battery tested to determine remaining capacity.

In many areas, AAA members can have a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician come to their home or work to perform a free battery test and install a new battery on site if needed.

If you will be driving long distances, you can help prevent a power drain on your battery by taking one of the generators for electronics to keep your phones and the kids’ entertainment devices charged, whether it’s a picnic or a family camping or glamping trip.

Brakes

Inspect the brake system for fluid leaks, and check all components for wear at every oil change and whenever there are signs of a potential problem.

Pay attention to any brake warning indicators on your car’s instrument panel, or any grinding or scraping noises when applying the brakes.

car smell and what they mean

Fluids

Change the oil at the intervals specified by the vehicle manufacturer and use an oil that meets the vehicle’s factory specifications.

Also, check the engine coolant and brake, transmission, and power steering fluids.  And, check the windshield wiper fluid.

About AAA

AAA provides more than 59 million members with automotive, travel, insurance and financial services through its federation of 34 motor clubs and nearly 1,100 branch offices across North America.

Since 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for safe mobility. Drivers can request roadside assistance, identify nearby gas prices, locate discounts, book a hotel or map a route via the AAA Mobile app.

Also this advice from MarketWatch –

Get a Multipoint Inspection

A multipoint inspection performed by a trusted mechanic can help you identify any vehicle parts that aren’t in working order. This is what’s typically covered during a routine multipoint inspection.

What’s InspectedCar Parts Included
Under the hoodEngine oil, coolant, brake fluid, air filter, power steering fluid, washer fluid, hoses, drive belts and car battery
Safety equipmentSeat belts, air bags, brakes and horn
DrivetrainEngine, transmission, driveshaft, differential and transfer case, fuel and brake lines and exhaust system
Interior and exteriorBrake lights, headlights, turn signals, cabin air filter, air conditioning system, windshield wiper blades and floor mats
SuspensionShocks, struts, ball joints, wheel alignment, tire pressure and tire tread

This article was published in 2019 and updated and republished annually


ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter on Dune 45 NamibiaecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.

Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter

Thanks for visiting ecoXplorer. Stay up to date with the latest news about green travel, green cars, smart spending and frugal living by subscribing. It's free. RSS feed.
Welcome back to exoXplorer. Stay up to date with the latest news about green travel, green cars and smart spending by subscribing. It's free. RSS feed.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Posts:

  • Dangers of Driving on Worn Tires
  • Holiday Travel Expected to Set Records
  • Essential Car Care Tips for Family Road Trips
  • Evelyn Kanter In The News
  • 4th of July Travel Outlook
  • Beware of Buying a Flood Damaged Car

Filed Under: Family Travel, How To, Road Trip

What do you think? We value your comments and love hearing from you.Cancel reply

Most Popular Recent Posts

  • Where to Stream FREE Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur Services
    Where to Stream FREE Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur Services
  • Scam Alert: Kars4Kids Car Donation Charity
    Scam Alert: Kars4Kids Car Donation Charity
  • 2 Reasons to Avoid Jimmy John's
    2 Reasons to Avoid Jimmy John's
  • NYC Guide: Best Things to Do Through October 31
    NYC Guide: Best Things to Do Through October 31
  • NYC Guide: Airport Transportation
    NYC Guide: Airport Transportation
  • Car Rental Do's and Don'ts
    Car Rental Do's and Don'ts
  • Best 2023 Car Interiors Under $50,000
    Best 2023 Car Interiors Under $50,000
  • Scam Alert: Mideast Peace Charities
    Scam Alert: Mideast Peace Charities
  • Best Electric Cars Under $35,000
    Best Electric Cars Under $35,000
  • Where to Eat in Times Square & Theater District at Local Restaurants Not National Chains
    Where to Eat in Times Square & Theater District at Local Restaurants Not National Chains

ecoXplorer is your guide to smart spending and eco-friendly living

ecoXplorer is published by Evelyn Kanter, a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter and guidebook and smartphone app author – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), and is a past Board Member of a prestigious professional group for travel journalists.

Evelyn Kanter is Editor of SeniorsSkiing, which focuses on the 50+ outdoor enthusiast.

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com or evelyn@evelynkanter.com.

Search ecoXplorer by category

© 2010-2023 EcoXplorer by Evelyn Kanter. All articles and photos are protected by US (C) Copyright laws. Any unauthorized copying is strictly prohibited. Plus, it’s just not nice.

  • Home
  • About Evelyn Kanter
  • Evelyn Kanter’s Books & Apps
  • Evelyn Kanter In The News
  • Workshops
  • NYC Travel Guru

ecoXplorer.com is an independent information service which is compensated by advertisers and sponsors. This site includes some links to other websites which are compensated for by our sponsors when you click them.

 

Loading Comments...