Preparing Your Vehicle for Your Summer Road Trip
Preparing Your Vehicle for Your Summer Road Trip
Each summer, millions of Americans pack up their vehicles and load their families into the car for a summer road trip. Fond memories are made and belly laughs are almost guaranteed. However, long trips in the car can increase the potential for vehicle breakdowns. To keep yourself, your family, and other drivers on the road safe, you want to make sure that your vehicle is in the best shape possible before going on any road trip. If you are planning a summer road trip, our safety checklist below can help keep you safe on the journey ahead.
Make Sure Your Tires Are in Good Condition
Tires should be rotated approximately every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or every six months. This ensures the tires wear evenly and extends the life of tires. However, regardless of how recent you had your tires balanced, before going on a road trip, it is a good idea to go to your local tire or automotive shop and have them checked. Tire blowouts pose a major threat to drivers on the road and can cause serious vehicle accidents. Keep yourself and fellow drivers safe by having your tires checked before your trip.
Change The Oil and Fluids
Most vehicles today need an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. A good rule of thumb is to get your oil changed each time you take your tires to get rotated. Regular oil changes contribute to the overall health of your vehicle’s engine. Failing to change the oil can cause the engine to run less efficiently. Additionally, have your power steering fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid checked and, if necessary, topped off. Lastly, do not forget to have your coolant levels checked. You want to make sure your A/C is working properly so you can stay nice and cool in your vehicle.
Check the Battery
It is recommended to check your vehicle’s battery once a year. Save yourself potential trouble by having your battery checked before your trip. Corrosion on the battery is a sign that it may be time for a new one. If you do not have a trained eye, consider having a professional look at it for you.
Have an Emergency Road Trip Kit
In the chance that there is an emergency, you want to be prepared. Your emergency kit might include the vehicle’s manual, jumper cables, a flashlight with an extra set of batteries, first aid supplies, a CB radio, a spare tire, road flares, and tools to change your tire.
Preparing your car for your road trip ahead of time, limits risk and increases your chance at arriving to your road trip destination safely. However, accidents do happen. If you or a loved one are injured in a vehicle accident on your summer road trip call the Personal Injury attorneys at Harris Cook, LLP.
Contact an Arlington Personal Injury Attorney Today!
As with clients in our other Practice Areas, we will pursue your best interests ethically and vigorously. If you, a family member, or an employee have been injured as the result of another’s negligence, it’s very important that you contact our office as soon as possible. We will get right to work on your evaluation and get back to you quickly with the legal advice you need to make important decisions. If you are unsure if you have a valid claim or available legal options, give us a call and we will be glad to sit down with you to evaluate the potential claim at no cost to you.