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It's hard to believe that in just two short weeks, summer will officially be upon us. Where has 2017 gone?! Despite the calendar still reading spring, the outdoor adventures that come with the glorious summer season have already begun in our house.
Summer time is travel time. During the warm and sunny months, we love to get outside. Camping, hiking, swimming and exploring our own backyard are some of our favourite activities. We also love a good road trip, usually to visit my parents or our family cottage, both on Lake Huron.
After saying goodbye to our faithful ultimate road trip companion in the fall, we look forward to making new road trip memories with our new crossover. We can't wait to load up the car and hit the open road to create some amazing summer family memories.
But before doing so, we must first make sure our vehicle is prepared to get us to and from our summer adventure destinations safely. Especially with a little one in tow.
But before doing so, we must first make sure our vehicle is prepared to get us to and from our summer adventure destinations safely. Especially with a little one in tow.
Extreme heat and long drives can be tough on cars, so here are 6 tips for preparing your vehicle for a successful summer family road trip.
6 Tips to Prepare for a Successful Summer Family Road Trip
1. Check your brakes.
Your brakes are the single most important safety feature in your car, so its important to maintain their condition. Don't put your or your family at risk this summer by driving on worn or even faulty brakes.
2. Inspect all lights and bulbs.
Having properly working head lights, tail lights and brake lights is important, especially at times when visibility is reduced, whether during rain or darkness.
3. Maintain clean air filters.
It is important to change both your engine and cabin air filters to improve airflow and prevent dust, dirt and allergens from entering both the engine and cabin.
4. Maintain your air conditioning.
If you've ever driven a car with no air conditioning during the hot summer months, then you what a big difference a little cool air makes. Air conditioning systems are complicated, so if you think there is a fault in yours, take it to the professionals.
4. Maintain your air conditioning.
If you've ever driven a car with no air conditioning during the hot summer months, then you what a big difference a little cool air makes. Air conditioning systems are complicated, so if you think there is a fault in yours, take it to the professionals.
5. Create a summer emergency kit.
A well stocked kit can be a lifesaver if you find yourself stranded, even in the summer months. For the summer, items to include are jumper cables, flares, flashlights with extra batteries, first aid materials, snacks and water. If you're traveling with children, adding an extra supply of diapers and wipes, a few toys, sunscreen and extra snacks and water is key. Make sure to store your kit in an easily accessible place.
6. Top up your fluids.
In the summer months, important fluids for your vehicle include windshield washer fluid, coolant and motor oil. Remember to keep all topped up, and carry extra in your vehicle just to be safe.
As a family on a budget, we opt to change our own motor oil. Not only is it cost effective, it is also super easy. Working on our own vehicle also gives us a sense of accomplishment when hitting the open road.
Quaker State® Ultimate Durability™ Full Synthetic Motor Oil is the perfect motor oil for your summer road trip adventures. Not only do the fuel-saving additives give the oil more durability and help keep the oil fresh, but as engine temperatures increases, heat-activated viscosity improvers and anti-wear additives kick in to maintain oil thickness to help extend your engine life. Quaker State® gives you more durability and more honesty.
As a family on a budget, we opt to change our own motor oil. Not only is it cost effective, it is also super easy. Working on our own vehicle also gives us a sense of accomplishment when hitting the open road.
Quaker State® Ultimate Durability™ Full Synthetic Motor Oil is the perfect motor oil for your summer road trip adventures. Not only do the fuel-saving additives give the oil more durability and help keep the oil fresh, but as engine temperatures increases, heat-activated viscosity improvers and anti-wear additives kick in to maintain oil thickness to help extend your engine life. Quaker State® gives you more durability and more honesty.
Changing you oil is easy! First, we opened the hood and located the dipstick to check your motor oil level. We removed the dipstick and wiped it with a clean, lint-free cloth. The dipstick was then replaced and removed once more to re-check the level (left photo above). When completing this step, make sure the level is between the minimum and maximum level marks. If it is below, add oil immediately. To add oil, we removed the oil filter cap, which is usually located beside the dipstick. Remember to add oil that meets the correct specifications of your vehicle. This information can be found in your owner's manual. Once oil was added, we rechecked the oil level using the dipstick. If the oil level is correct after completing this step, simply replace the dipstick, replace the oil filler cap, close the hood and you're good to hit the road!
Remember to take all necessary safety precautions to protect you, your vehicle and your family.
Remember to take all necessary safety precautions to protect you, your vehicle and your family.
Quaker State® Ultimate Durability™ Full Synthetic Motor Oil is a great oil at a great price. It can easily be located in the Automotive Department at your local Canadian Tire. Just look for the gold bottle!
Whether we're hitting the road to visit the wilderness, family or even the local pool, having a vehicle that is prepared to handle our adventures is key to a safe and fun summer season.
Where will your summer adventures take you? Have you ever used Quaker State® automotive products? I’d love to hear about it!
