I am excited to work with Autotrader to bring you these great tips. Autotrader is sponsoring the giveaway kit as a part of the promotion, and I also received a kit as part of the promotion. #drivenbysummer
Today is the first official day of summer, and now – FINALLY! – my kids are done with the school year. It had started to feel like the kids would be in school forever, after our friends on the other side of the country started their summer vacations a month ago. Yes, we had a little bit of summer envy going on!
We’ve already been enjoying daily swim team practice and weekend swim meets since Memorial Day (and let me tell you – it’s tough to live in both worlds. School during the day and summer swim team in the evenings). I am excited to jump in to our full-fledged summer break starting this week, with scout camps and swim parties and other outdoor adventures.
I’m also excited since summer means that we can finally head on those road trips we’ve been planning. This year, we’re skipping the cross country road trips and planning some shorter trips that are a little closer to home.
5 Tips to Get Your Car Ready for the Summer
Keep it running smooth – check out Autotrader’s top 10 tips for getting your car ready for summer travel. They know exactly what you need to check up and tune up to keep your car on the road and out of the shop while you’re enjoying your summer.
Keep it clean – Before and after road trips, I like to do a thorough cleaning inside and out. Having a recently-vacuumed and clutter-free car may not make the car perform any better, but it sure does make the driver perform better (at least that’s my personal experience!).
Keep it cool – A simple sunshade (Amazon affiliate link) to place in your windshield while the car is parked. Window shades like this one for the back seat passengers not only keep the kids cooler while they ride, but also protect their little arms from harsh UV rays.
Keep it stocked – I would love to keep my car stocked with a supply of water, snacks, and sunscreen (because we need those all the time on our summer outings) but the fact is, the interior of the car gets way too hot here during the summer to keep anything perishable or sensitive to heat inside for any extended period of time. Instead, I keep a bag in the house by the door so I can grab it before I leave. In that bag, I keep water bottles, a few snacks that aren’t messy, a bottle of sunscreen, and anything else that we frequently need when we’re on the road. Inside the car, I always have an emergency bag with things I might need – a flashlight, a tire gauge, ponchos, bandages, etc.
See my post from last year on what to keep in the car!
Keep everyone entertained – My mom and I were just discussing the difference between what in-car “entertainment” meant for me when I was a kid versus what it means for the average kid today. I’m still of the mind set that kids don’t need to watch a movie unless we’re on the road for multiple hours. Luckily, there are several other ways to keep passengers entertained while in the car, whether it’s a 15 minute drive around town or a 15 hour drive to Grandma’s house.
One of my favorite things to do for the summer, when we tend to spend more time driving to activities around town as well as out-of-town trips, is to keep a supply of books, notebooks, colored pencils (NOT crayons….they’ll melt!), and puzzle books for the kids to enjoy while on the road. We just stash those extras in the seat back pockets and they’ve always got something to do (that doesn’t include arguing with their siblings!).
What are some of your best tips for getting your car (and your family!) ready for summer time travel? Share them in the comments below (and check the widget!) for a chance to win an awesome prize package from Autotrader!
Connect with Autotrader
- Be sure to check out Autotrader’s summer safety and car care tips
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Enter to WIN a fun Summer Car Readiness Giveaway Package
One (1) winner will receive a package from Autotrader which includes the following ($122 Value):
- Autotrader branded charger ($15)
- Tire Pressure Gauge ($11)
- Roadside Safety Kit ($26)
- Sunscreen ($18)
- Poncho 4 pack ($7)
- Safety Tool – Seatbelt Cutter, Hammer ($10)
- Emergency Wind Up Flashlight ($10)
- Visa Gift Card ($25)
This giveaway will end on July 11, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Open to US residents only, 18+. Good luck!
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make sure tires are at the right pressure, top off your fluids
I commented on the post: EASY THAI PEANUT CURRY CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES for an entry.
My best tip is to make sure to have all your fluid levels checked.
Check the fluids and tire pressure as well as get an oil change if it’s time.
I always get my oil and spark plugs changed and I pay someone to detail it.
i take it to the car wash and replace any fluids that need replacing..especially wiper fluid.
Always make sure your tires have the proper air pressure along with checking all of the fluids before heading out ont he road.
We make sure we clean the car out under the shade of the tree’s and use sun shades for our car windows.
Always have your tires, belts and fluids checked by a mechanic before you start any summer travel.
Checking all the fluids and tire pressure and making sure we have an emergency kit such as candles, blankets etc
Always make sure your tire pressure is good. Also, stock up on tunes that everyone in the family loves listening to.
Check your fluids often and if traveling, take it in and get the entire car checked out.
We always take it to our family mechanic for a check up at the start of summertime.
Get the tires checked, oil change, and making sure there’s enough fluid for the AC.
Getting the tires checked and a good tune-up
We get the car serviced and pack our own snacks.
Get your air conditioner serviced! Nothing worse than having the air go out in the middle of nowhere on a 100+ degree day. Yes, it’s happened to me.
My best tip is to make sure to have it inspected.
change the oil make sure there is a decent set of tires and always have a back up plan. keep trash bags in the car and keep it clean at all times
My best tip is to make sure you have water and snacks in your car and mini fans with extra batteries just in case.
Check cooling and air conditioning systems.
My advice is to change the oil keep up the repairs. It will last longer.
I check the oil and all the fluids before traveling in the summer
We always get a tune up and make sure our tires are ready to go on the hot pavement.
We take it in for maintenance service, oil change, check for leaks, fill up fluids, check breaks and tires
My tip is to have the tires checked as a flat tire is a bummer. Also have the belts on the car looked at.
My tip is to keep a mini cleaning kit in the car, because you know you’re going to be in a lot this summer! trash bag/can, swiffer duster!
My tip is to check the tire air pressure and wiper fluid and add anything that is needed.
make sure its running well and all the oil is changed when it needs to be
Check your tires! I already purchased brand new tires this summer for my car.
I keep gallons of water in case the car overheats
My best tip is to check fluids weekly, along with the air pressure in your tires.
My best tip is to check the oil and all other fluids before going over the road. Also, check tires and tire pressure.
Check your oil, tires and wind shield wipers!
My best tip is using newspaper to clean t he windows!
Make sure to buy the cleaning supplies ahead of time.
Make sure all your fluids are topped off, tires rotated and oil changed.
My best tip is to have my car checked by the store before going on road trips.
Get the tires checked and an oil change
I get my truck inspected and the oil changed.
I check the tire pressure.
We make sure the tires are in good shape, and give it a good “spring cleaning” making sure everything is restocked and all the fluids are topped off.
After a long and hard winter, a fresh oil change is something we always do to get our car summer ready!
A tip that I do is to make sure that my tires are in good working order with the proper inflation and to make sure that my spare tire is also full of air. Nothing worse than being on the road with a flat tire and the spare tire is also flat!
My Tips For Getting A Car Ready For Summer Is Do An Oil Change, Check And Fill Up All Fluids, Check Tire Pressure.
I always check the tire pressure and tread and get the fluids changed.
Do your basic checks such as fluids, tires, battery and wipers.
Check the air filters – including the one that a lot of people don’t think about that’s on the inside of the vehicle
check the tires and air filters
My best tip for getting my car ready for the summer is to check my tire pressure to make sure I’m maximizing my fuel economy on long summer vacation trips.
My best tip to get your car ready for summer is to change your air filters and make sure your tire pressure is correct.
We get an oil change and our tires rotated.