Summer Car Care

Road trip! Do it safely, and save money with some easy maintenance! 

Are We There Yet?

Sanity Savers for Family Car Trips

Restless travel is uncomfortable for everyone! Making time to plan what happens in the car before you get to your destination goes a long way.

1. Pack Efficiently: Would you be happy wedged in between beach towls and a pack of diapers? Of course not! Neither are the kids. When they're happy in the car, YOU'LL be happy in the car, so go lightly on the stuff and leave more room to stretch.

2. Pack an Activity Bag: You can get lucky sometimes and find those over the seat canvas organizer bags for just a few dollars. Fill those pockets with things like pads of paper, crayons, travel games, cards, and puzzle books. A map and compass are fun additions, too. If space permits, you can allow each child to pack his/her own backpack with things they like to do.

3. Pack Snacks: A little cooler filled with juice, water, fruit, cheese sticks, crackers, and sure--a little chocolate (frozen Hershey kisses are great for this!) helps to keep everyone's blood sugar levels in check. These things are safe to eat on the road, or even better, stop if you can---even a fifteen minute stop/stretch/snack break can help to perk all of you up!

4. Establish Car Rules: Teach the kids early there are rules for how to act in school, in a library, in Church, and yes...in a car! Some examples of Car Rules: Buckle Up, Stay in Your Own Space, Use a Quiet Voice. Review the rules before or as you just start out on your trip.

Basic Maintenance

Keep your engine running for hot summer driving with these basic tips.  It's also a good time of year to dig out that little book that came with your car and look over what the manufacturer has to say about what's best for your specific car:

1.  When did you last change the oil?  Has in been more than three months or 5,000 miles?  Change it! 

2.  How are your heater and radiator hoses?  Check for any bulgess, cracks, or other problems.  Hoses should be changes every four years.  Make sure to get your fan belts cheked for wear, too. 

3.  Is your antifreeze OK?  Antifreeze should be changed every two years or 50,000 miles.  Make sure there aren't any signs of leaks.

4.  Any leaks in the air conditioning system? Better to find out now before the real heat of summer rolls in.  A mechanic will want to check the entire system. 

5.  How's your wheel alignment? The tires themselves?  

6.  All clean? Make sure to clean underneath the car, and hard to reach areas like the fender wells, and door sills.  This is a good time to have a wax or other coating applied to protect your car from rust. 

Quick Car Cleaning Tips

Freshen up the inside of your car quickly and easily with these ideas:

To clean dashboards:  use baby wipes!  They do the trick, leave a clean scent, and an anti-static layer behind that will help to resist dust.

To get the dust our around all the controls:  Use an angled paintbrush!  You'll be able to get in the tiniest spaces.

To clean windows:  Wipe all windows, including the windshield, down inside and out with an ammonia-free glass cleaner.  (see our green cleaning tips - link to Green Living page) This is an important step not just for beauty, but also for safety.

To clean leather seats:  use moisturizing soap!  Rub a little bit of soap into a  wet washcloth and scrub the seats. Go over it with a dry towel. The seats will smell nice, and feel soft!