Summer is here and what better way to celebrate than taking a road trip with friends and family! Pack your bags and drive to your perfect getaway, but first, have you considered if your car can handle the trip? Many vacationers who use their car for road trips fail to prepare their car for the drive. Here are some hot tips to keep in mind for your summer ride!

Engine

Summer brings in the heat that we can’t seem to bare, neither can your car. The combination of hot temperatures and your coolant levels can cause a disaster. Especially if you are driving in the middle of nowhere. Low coolant levels increase the risk of your engine overheating and your A/C working double-time.

Check your coolant level yourself or at an auto shop and top it off if it is too low. If you are completely empty, make sure you don’t have any leaks.

If you are on the road, check your temperature gauge from time to time, check for any warning lights, and most noticeable, steam coming from the hood of your car. If any of these things happen, safely pull over and turn off your engine. Give your engine 30 minutes to cool down before opening your hood. Add coolant if needed. If you are all out of coolant, better call a tow truck.

Also, be sure to get a proper oil change before your trip!

Tires

During the hot summer months, tires are more prone to blowouts. You should make sure to check your tires at a gas station or an auto shop. Under-inflated tires, lack of air pressure, puts your tires’ components under greater strain, putting you at a higher risk of a blowout. Over-inflated tires could put you at risk of hydroplaning if you get stuck in rain during your trip.

Be sure to check the tread on all your tires. A simple hack to this is taking one penny. Make sure Lincoln’s heads-side is facing you and his head is downward. Place him into your tire groove, if you can see the top of his head, it is likely you need new tires.

If you are planning a big summer trip in advance, be sure to have your tires rotated every 5,000 miles

Interior and Exterior

The blazing sun without a doubt is getting you to put on some long sleeves during the ride and sunglasses. But what about your car? Too much UV rays can damage your dashboard, interior, and exterior paint. Before taking your car on a trip, wash and wax your car with a UV protecting polish to reduce sun damage and paint fading.

If your road trip requires numerous stops, try to park in a shaded area to protect your interior and exterior. It is suggested to also have a windshield cover to protect your interior and keep the car cool.

Steering wheel too hot to touch? Next time, turn your wheel 180 degrees before getting out so when you come back in, rotate your wheel back and you will have the hot spots at the bottom now!

With these summer tips, you should be able to enjoy your summer road trip with no worries. Do you find yourself needing that summer road trip car for your family? Swapalease.com is the largest online lease transfer marketplace. The online marketplace has vehicles and customers in every state in the continental United States and Canada. For more information on finding the best car lease deals or to learn how you can have a successful car lease trade, visit Swapalease.com or contact them at 866-SWAPNOW.