Summer Travel Prep

We are approaching Memorial Day weekend and the official start of the summer travel season. Due to rising oil prices, which affect gas-at-the-pump-prices, summer 2018 is forecast to bring more costly summer car travel than we’ve had the last several years.

It was always a to-do in my house growing up – and still is actually – to “go have the car checked out” before a road trip. I thought it would be fun to look a little deeper into what that means.

There are lots of drive-in-drive-out oil change places now, and whether you use one of those, or have a tried-and-true technician you return to, knowing what to ask about or what you’re looking for when they hand you the receipt, might be helpful.

For this checklist I turned to AAA and here are their recommendations:

1. Tires – important not only for maximum gas mileage but also for passenger safety. Are all tires similar in tread life? Are they filled to the correct pressure?
2. Battery – frustrating because they can fail at anytime, anywhere. After a cold winter it’s a good idea to proactively test your battery and check the connectors for corrosion.
3. Fluids – there are 7 to pay attention to:
   -Oil – keeps all moving parts lubricated
   -Radiator – keeps the engine from overheating
   -Transmission – keeps the transmission lubricated; important preventing more costly repairs
   -Power Steering – for controlling the car wheels
   -Brake – is pressurized & powers the brakes
   -Air Conditioning – definitely check (!)
   -Washer Fluid – doesn’t affect your vehicle operation, but still a must have for safer driving
4. Belts & Hoses – made from rubber and they deteriorate over time. Most hose manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every four years. Failure incidence rises sharply after the 4th year of service for hoses and 3rd year for belts.
5. Wiper Blades & Lights – both for safety, driver and passenger comfort and sight preservation, and complying with the law!

Finally, prepare or update your Emergency Kit – to include a working jack, flashlight, extra batteries, road flares, a first aid kit, and bottled water as the basics.

Whether you are traveling by planes, trains or automobiles this summer, I hope you have plans to spend time in a destination you want to see or return to a place you love and be with people you love. There is nothing like those two things to refresh us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.

Gigi