Believe it or not, summer is quickly approaching. That means that Canadians all across the country are preparing their vehicles for road trip season. Here is how we the best performance possible from our vehicles this summer.
The more we go on road trips around the country, the more we realize that with a bit of planning you can be prepared for the unexpected. Car troubles are the absolute fastest way to ruin a great road trip, but the vast majority of potential problems can be sorted out before you even leave. With mass construction going on all over the place, it’s important to prepare the exterior of your vehicle as well as the drivetrain. But don’t worry, we have a fix for that too.
The Owner’s Manual
This one seems silly, but it’s important that drivers have their owner’s manual handy (best to keep it in the glove box). The owner’s manual has fuse diagrams so you can fix a blown AC unit or problem with the interior lights while on the go, and has important info like where the jack is and how to deal with an overheating engine.
Exterior Protection
As soon as the snow melts, the construction begins. This means lots of gravel and rock spray from passing vehicles. Paint chips and windshield cracks are some of the most common damage inflicted during highway driving. At Tekton, we provide industry-leading paint protection films from autobahn™. Don’t settle for less, your car deserves the best protection it can get.
Under the Hood
Take a peek under your hood for any obvious problems like leaks or frayed engine belts. If you see anything serious, get it to your mechanic ASAP. After a visual inspection check your engine oil for quality and colour, then do the same for transmission fluid and coolant. Top up anything that needs it and be sure all of the caps are tightened when you put it all back together. Feeling uncomfortable with an under the hood check? Just bring it in to a quality mechanic and have them give it a once over. A trained eye you can trust is worth its weight in gold.
Sun Protection
Nothing is better than basking in the beautiful summer sun, especially after the winter we’ve had across Canada. Although we are all aware of the hazards of UV radiation while we are at the lake, many of us don’t appreciate how vulnerable we are while driving to and from our vacation destinations. A high quality window tint is the best way to protect the occupants of your vehicle from solar radiation. Tint will also help keep your car cool and comfortable all summer long.
Check Your Battery
This one is easy. Check the battery terminals. If they are super corroded you need to give them a clean. You can do it in just a minute with some baking soda. Here is an illustrated guide to a DIY battery clean up to help you get the job done. This will help make sure you don’t get stranded unnecessarily while you wait for a jump. (You double checked that you have jumper cables in your trunk, just in case….right?)
Get it Cleaned!
The last step seems obvious, but many people skip it. Clean your car! Inside and out, thorough cleaning is going to make your drive much more enjoyable. You can take all the carpets out, give it a vacuum, wash the outside, and give it a spritz with Febreze to freshen it up. If you car is in a bad state, it might be smart to get it deep cleaned before you go. If the DIY solution doesn’t sound appealing, you can get amazing results from reputable automotive detailers.
Once your car is ready it is time to hit the road an enjoy some of this amazing summer. The best kind of vacation is one without any surprise visits from a tow truck along the way. Happy travels!
