Spring is here, and summer is on the horizon. The weather will warm up soon, making it a good time to take road trips in your Jeep. Don't hit the road without properly preparing your vehicle. Read below for tips on how to prepare your Jeep for a summer road trip so you can have fun and stay safe.
Inspect Your Tires
One of the most important things you need to do before hitting the road is to check your Jeep’s tires. You don't want to travel a long way and experience a blowout you could have easily avoided.
You can take some steps to prevent such a scenario. Examine your tires for any irregularities or places that seem to be wearing unevenly or bulging. You should also check the tire pressure and ensure it matches the recommended numbers within your owner's manual.
If you overinflate or underinflate your tires, you may have difficulty braking. Ensure you have a spare tire and tool kit packed and ready just in case you encounter a problem on the road, despite all your preparation.
Clean the Inside and Outside
Another tip for preparing your Jeep for a summer road trip is to clean the inside and outside. Not only do you want to ensure your vehicle is running properly, but you also want to make the drive pleasant for your friends or family.
Empty your vehicle of any spare possessions or trash. Wipe down the seats and both sides of the windows. If you have cloth seats, consider applying a car seat shampoo and water. Use a leather wipe for leather seats. You should also vacuum the floors or wash your floor mats outside of your vehicle.
When cleaning your Jeep’s exterior, you can save money by doing it yourself instead of taking it to the car wash. Use a pressure washer to clean the vehicle’s undercarriage and remove any dirt. Doing so can prevent it from rusting in the future.
Add New Windshield Wipers
During your summer road trip, you will likely experience hot sunshine and potentially rain. Check that your windshield wipers work well so that you have clear vision on the road.
If you test your wipers and they leave streaks, then it's time to replace them. This is especially important if you will drive in the early morning or late at night. Poor visibility is the last thing you want on a dark and stormy night, as the conditions could endanger your and your family's safety.
Brush Your Battery Terminals
The battery is another important area of your Jeep to inspect. Before starting the cleaning process, disconnect the battery or completely remove it from your Jeep. Next, get rid of any grime that will reduce its lifespan. Then, you can use a mixture of baking soda and water with a brush or a cloth to remove the gunk from the battery’s terminals. Finally, completely dry the terminals with another cloth before returning the battery to the vehicle.
Change the Oil and Air Filters
Performing maintenance on your Jeep's oil and air filters is important, as the engine needs them to run properly. Instead of letting the oil become sludge, change it before starting your road trip so that your engine runs well and stays clean. Fresh oil will improve your Jeep’s gas mileage.
As for the air filters, ensure dirt and debris have not clogged them and impaired their effectiveness. Usually, you want to check them every 10,000 miles you drive. However, you may only need to replace them every 15,000–30,000 miles. Changing the air filters guarantees your engine will run properly.
New air filters ensure your Jeep's air conditioner performs when you need it the most. You and your friends or family want to avoid sitting in a hot car and feeling uncomfortable in the warm weather for the duration of the trip.
Stock Your Emergency Kit
Although you have already checked if your Jeep has a spare tire in the case of a flat, you need to finish stocking your vehicle with supplies. You should prepare an emergency kit, which will consist of things you would need if you and your passengers are in a dire situation.
These supplies can include a first aid kit, potable water, a flashlight, a blanket, and phone chargers. You’ll want to stay refreshed and warm and tend to wounds if anyone gets hurt. Pack enough medicine in case you or your passengers have any medical conditions that need immediate assistance.
You may want to pack extra fluids if your road trip takes you through places with few service stations. That way, you will be safe and fully prepared, even if an accident occurs. For example, you can pack your Jeep with extra motor oil, windshield wiper fluid, or coolant that will keep your vehicle from overheating due to the summer heat.
You should also bring along brake fluid so your brake system continues operating effectively and you can keep yourself and your passengers safe. Remember not to be too zealous in this process by overfilling it, as that can cause issues, such as your brake system overheating or your brake pads wearing faster than normal.
Have a Professional Look at Your Jeep
Having a mechanic look at your vehicle is a great idea. You may have missed something or made a mistake, even after doing everything you can to prepare your vehicle for your summer road trip. That's where a professional can help.
The mechanic can check your vehicle’s condition and inform you of any problems before it's too late while traveling. After all, you don't want to spend most of your vacation wondering whether your vehicle will break down.
After you have prepared your Jeep, you may decide to visit a Jeep accessories store for further enhancements, which will improve its appearance on the road. Contact us at AM Off-Road, and we’ll happily assist you in making your Jeep look great before your journey. Check out our selection today!
