Now that the summer weather is here, more and more motorists are looking for ways to get out and enjoy the sun, a popular choice being a summer drive or a road trip.

If there was a common popular time of the year, it would have to be summer time. With children away from school and parents often away from work, it’s a great time for everybody to enjoy some summer fun with their family and friends, which often includes a road trip. If you are excited to take your family or friends on a road trip during summer but are worried it will turn in a stress-filled event, Oils RGV has a post with some tips to help.

Start with a Good Plan

The best place to start with any adventure is with a plan. This is in contrast to what you see in movies, with the characters simply jumping into the back of a car, listening to a song or two, and then magically arriving at their destination. Instead, set a few plans:

• Where will you be going?
• What is the route you will be taking, and what are your backup routes in the event something happens on the road.
• Create a driving schedule so that each of the drives knows when they need to drive and can prepare, such as with a small nap or a snack.
• Speaking of which, who is in charge of bringing the snacks and drinks?

Small planning steps like these can go a long way to keeping your road trip an enjoyable and stress-free one.

Check Your Fluid Levels

Just as you and your passengers need water and snacks to keep you active along the way, so too does your vehicle needs its own food and drinks, in the form of fluids, such as:

• Engine lubricant/Engine oil
• Water and coolant
• Transmission Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid
• Soap and water for your wipers

If any of these levels are low or you can see that they have seen better days, consider flushing it out and replacing it with fresh fluid. Click here to buy Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil and help keep your engine in good shape during summer drives with a synthetic oil change in Mission. To place an order or for help finding the right product for your engine, speak with an expert at Oils RGV by calling (956) 458-9399 or check out the online store for additional information.

Tire Condition

Despite what you might think, your tires aren’t impenetrable and have a lifespan. For this reason, before you embark on an extended drive, bring your vehicle out into the sun and inspect your tires for the following:

• Can you see any bald spots where there is no tread?
• Are there any punctures in the tire, such as a nail or piece of glass which has become stuck.
• Look for cracks and stretches on the rubber which can indicate that it will soon cause a leak, or worse, a tire blowout.
• Is there anything lodged in the tread, such as small rocks or natural debris?

If you can identify any of the above then be sure to fix the problem before you make your trip, as this can prevent not only a dangerous situation from occurring while you drive but one which stops your vacation in its tracks. When you are confident that your tires are in good condition, it’s time to pay some attention to their pressure, by ensuring that each of your tires is at the same and correct pressure level. Not only can this help with your gas usage, but it also improves your handling and maneuverability, making it easier for you to avoid problems on the road.

Electrics

It can be easy to think that your car’s electrics are magic, given that you don’t actually see any of the wiring or the cables. However, just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean that they aren’t there, and it definitely doesn’t mean that they can’t break. With somebody sitting in your driver’s seat, walk around your vehicle and ensure your electrics are all working correctly, such as:

• Brake Lights
• Tail lights
• Headlamps
• Indicators
• Reverse Lights
• Dash and Indicator lights

If any of these aren’t working, for example, you can see that one of your headlamps is going to blow a bulb soon, consider replacing it now. This can prevent you and your passengers from waiting at night on the side of the road for help, simply because you don’t have a spare headlamp or brake light.

Improve Your Engine Performance with a Synthetic Oil Change in Mission

In addition to these tips, basic engine maintenance and upkeep, like keeping your vehicle clean and performing a regular synthetic oil change can have great benefits while driving in the summer heat. To place an order or to find out more about the benefits of a synthetic oil change, speak with an expert at Oils RGV by calling (956) 458-9399.