Road Trip Must Haves for the Car

Summer vacation season is HERE! After a long year stuck at home because of the coronavirus pandemic, many families are thrilled to be hitting the road and ready to see new places. Amid the flurry of packing and preparation to hit the road, make sure not to skip the essentials to make your car safer and more enjoyable for your trip. Check out our recommendations for road trip prep that your car and your passengers will appreciate.

Fresh Windshield Wipers – Replacing windshield wipers is recommended at least once if not twice a year, depending on our weather. If you skipped it in the spring, it’s time to replace them now. If you’re caught in an unexpected storm in an unfamiliar place, the last thing you need is to be dealing with a streaky windshield and low visibility.

Accessible maps and GPS – Most of us rely on our smart phones to help us navigate in unfamiliar territory but unfortunately there is no guarantee you’ll have cell phone service if you’re headed to a remote location. In addition to your phone and charger, pick up a recent map of your destination and a newer road atlas. Routes and highways change over time. Be prepared to navigate even if Siri is unavailable.

Sun protection for you and your car – We’ve shared in past blog posts that your car’s paint job needs an extra layer of protection during the hot summer months. Before you leave for your trip, spring for our platinum level wash for the best protection for your paint job. A professional wax adds a protective sheen that helps keep your clear coat intact and your car’s paint job looking great. Think of automotive wax like sunscreen for your car. Over the long term, it helps keep the clear coat intact and that helps keep your paint job looking its best.

Water for you and your car – Summer is here, and it’s hot. If you’re road tripping through Texas, be aware that there are plenty of stretches of highway where you might not see a single soul or business for miles. Be prepared for the unexpected. If you’re stuck with an overheating engine, have the essentials to deal with it, and know what to do to manage things safely.

A Spotless Interior and a way to keep it tidy on your trip – Our vacuums are up and running. Don’t skip cleaning your interior prior to your trip. Wipe down all the surfaces with a microfiber towel and spray cleaner. Clean the interior windows and vacuum all the nooks and crannies. Keep a trash bag in the car and throw your trash away at every stop. Stop to eat at roadside picnic tables for a change of scenery and to keep food out of the car. Kids will love this, and you’ll enjoy keeping the car cleaner.

A Recent Wash and Wax – No matter what you drive or where you’re going, getting there will be 100 percent more pleasant if your car is clean. No one wants to drive a funky car. There’s nothing more miserable on vacation that feeling like you never really got away from it all. Heading out on the open road in a clean car helps you really relax and leave your cares behind simply because it just feels better to drive a car that is clean on the inside.