Summertime brings along warmer temperatures, longer days and lots of sunshine.
If you’re planning a beach trip this summer, there are some things you should know about preparing your car for it. Otherwise, it can get very messy quickly.
Don’t Let Poor Car Maintenance Ruin Your Beach Day
Before you hit the road for the beach, there are a few things you’ll want to check on your car.
- Air Conditioner- Summertime means hotter temperatures, meaning you’ll likely be using your car’s A/C more. Be sure it is working properly and working at full speed.
- Fluids- Check the essential fluid levels- brake fluid, coolant, engine oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid- to ensure they are full or near-full. If you need help with checking your fluid levels, check out Popular Mechanics– How to Check the 6 Essential Fluids in Your Car.
- Tires- Tires that are properly inflated will provide better fuel economy, quicker steering response, and a smoother ride. So, you’ll need to check the pressure in the tires. If you need help with checking tire pressure, check out Cooper Tire has great advice, from how to visually inspect your tires to how to check the tire tread depth since tire treads are crucial when it comes to driving safety and performance.
Related: How to Keep Potholes from Ruining Your Tires… And Your Day
Make Sure to Have Those Beach Trip Essentials
For safety, there are 2 essential kits you’ll need to have in your car- First Aid Kit and Roadside Emergency Kit.
- First Aid Kit– First aid kits make sure you’re prepared for any health or safety emergency that may occur while either on the road or at the beach. You can make your own beach first aid kit. For help with what items you should pack, check out Hello Glow– How to Make a Beach Bag First Aid Kit- Beach First Aid Kit: DIY List To Get You Started. You can also purchase a pre-made first aid kit instead. For ideas on which ones to buy, check out Auto Guide- Top 10 Best First Aid Kits for Your Car and Trip Savvy– The 9 Best First Aid Kits of 2019.
- Roadside Emergency Kit- Roadside emergency kits help to ensure you’re prepared for any emergency that may occur while on the road. You can make your own summer emergency kit. For help with what items you should pack, check out Moments on the Map– 15 Items To Keep In Your Summer Emergency Kit and Mother Nature Network– Summer Road Safety: Build An Emergency Car Kit. You can also purchase a premade roadside emergency car kit instead. For ideas on which ones to buy, check out Business Insider– The Best Roadside Emergency Car Kits You Can Buy and Car Bibles- Best Car Emergency Kits in 2019.
Related: 18 Fun and Effective Car Accessories for Under $20
Time to Pack Up the Car
When packing your car for your beach trip, there are a few things you should know about how to pack your car.
- Pack everything that you’ll need in backpacks and duffel bags, instead of suitcases, to maximize the space in your vehicle and in your trunk.
- Avoid piling up backpacks, duffel bags and any other items too high. This will prevent the driver from seeing out of the back window.
- Pack the trunk from back to front. This means you’ll want to place backpacks and duffel bags, which you’ll only need when you get to the beach, first, in the back of the trunk. Place backpacks and duffel bags, which you’ll need on the way to the beach, last, in the front of the trunk.
Related: Car care tips to keep you and your car cool this summer
