Summer road trip connected car tips and car care check lists

carIf you are planning a road trip this summer, it’s a good idea to check out your car before your trip. If you are connected car driver, you can also prepare yourself by following these tips.

  • Don’t leave your iPhone or Smartphone in a hot car, it can ruin the devices.
  • Bring extra cables, 12V cigarette lighter adapters and such with you. Cables can break or fall into drink cups. You want to be able to keep your phone charged if you are driving late at night.
  • Copy your favorite music onto a cheap USB drive, as backup to play your music when there isn’t a cell signal or radio signal. You can also load some audio books to listen to while driving on the road.
  • Download mapping apps or set up your maps so that areas can be kept on your phone for when you are outside metropolitan areas where you can lose cellular data signals. City Maps 2Go Offline is good choice.
  • For your hotel room where often there are only a few outlets bring power strip and USBĀ  plug to charge your smarpthones, tablets or other devices.
  • Make a backup your phone apps and data before you go.
  • Setup phone locator in Android or iPhone so that you can locate the phone if you lose it.
  • Make sure you have your phone’s serial number and other information someplace safe in case of theft.
  • Have some kind of screen wipe and cleaner available. While eating out on the road your hands can get greasy and then you can’t see your screen.
  • Pair your phone and your passenger’s phone to the cars Bluetooth
  • Make sure you know how to setup an alarm clock on your phone.
  • If you have navigation on your vehicle, you may need to change the maps to different part of the country, check you manual for intstructions.
  • Make sure you have backup of important phone numbers some place separate from your phone. Many people don’t have backups of phone numbers for close family, business associates and friends. If you lose your phone you want to be able to use another phone to call yor acquaintances.
  • If you rent a car be sure to remove your data from the car when you return it.
  • If you can store phone number in your infotainment system, copy major contacts into you car, in case you need to use another phone.

To get your car ready for the road. Here are tips from the Car Care Council:

  • Check filters and fluids, including engine oil, antifreeze/coolant, windshield washer and power steering, brake and transmission fluids. Dirty air filters can waste gas and cause the engine to lose power.
  • Check the hoses and belts and replace if they become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
  • Check the brake system and make sure the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
  • Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy and uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
  • Check the engine to make sure it is delivering the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.
  • Check that the gas cap is not damaged, loose or missing to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

We also suggest that you

  • Check to see what you have stored in your trunk that you don’t need and remove it.
  • Have an emergency kit with flares, jumper cables, flash light and tools.
  • Have extra water, tissues, dry food (protein bars/nuts), a towel and an extra pair of shoes, just in case you need them.

Have a great summer. Happy Motoring. Drive safely.