How to get your car ready for summer road trips

In Canada, summer is a season for celebration. After months of cold weather, it’s a joy to look forward to beaches, parks, camping adventures, festivals and more. But before you hit the road, it’s important not to forget the practical details such as how to get your car ready for summer road trips.

Checking that your vehicle is ready for the road is a critical step in summer road trip planning. No one wants to waste valuable vacation time dealing with mechanical mishaps far from home. Minimize your risk of trouble by doing some key maintenance ahead of time. Here’s a comprehensive list of everything you should check out to get your car ready for your summer adventures.

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Inspect the condition and pressures of your tires

Tires deserve more credit than they get. Those four patches of rubber are the only thing keeping your car connected with the road. This is why it’s important not only to ensure you choose quality tires to begin with, but also that you monitor their condition and use the right tire for the season.

If you’re about to head out on a road trip in warmer weather but you haven’t swapped your car out of winter tires yet, make this the top priority on your road trip prep list. It’s not dangerous to keep winter tires on all year long, but their softer rubber compound wears far more quickly once temperatures rise. To get the longest life out of your winters, swap to all-season or summer tires once the daytime temperature is consistently above 7 degrees Celsius.

How to check that your tires have enough tread

Before you have your summer or all-season tires mounted in the spring, take a look at the tread depth. Experts often cite 2/32” as the minimum tread depth required for warm-weather tires to be safe. We suggest replacing your tires once they wear down to 4/32” so you’ll have sufficient grip in heavy rains.

How can you check the tread depth of your tires? Find a quarter and point the caribou’s nose straight down into the tread. If there’s a gap between the nose and the tire, your tread is worn and your tires should be replaced.

Before you leave on a road trip, check your tires as part of your vehicle walkaround. There should be no visible cracks or bulges in the rubber or dents on the rims. Use a pressure gauge to check that the tire pressure is within the manufacturer’s published tolerances. (You’ll find these on the inside of the driver’s side door.)

Don’t forget to check the condition of your vehicle’s spare tire as well. If your car has a tire fill kit instead, make sure you know where it’s located, how to use it, and that it’s not due for servicing. Many modern cars will alert you with a dashboard notification if it’s time to service your tire fill kit.

Consider whether you need an oil change

Before you leave for a road trip, consider what distance you’ll be covering. If you’ll be close to or past your vehicle’s recommended oil change interval while you’re on the road, it’s a good idea to get that oil change done before you depart. The further your trip will take you, the more likely it is this will be needed.

You’ll often hear people say you should have your oil changed every 5,000 kilometres or 8,000 kilometres. The truth is not all cars are created equal, and yours may have a different suggested oil change interval. The best policy is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation, which is set out in the owner’s manual.

Even if you think your oil is in good shape, take a moment to check your engine’s oil levels and condition before you depart. This is an easy job you can do yourself in your own driveway or parking spot. Grab a rag, pop the hood, and look for the oil can symbol. (This is often on a yellow screw cap.) Unscrew this and pull on it. You’ll remove a long metal stick from the engine called a dipstick. Wipe this with the rag, then dip it back into the oil reservoir where it came from and pull it out again.

If you look closely, you’ll see a clearly marked hashed section on the dipstick. The oil level should fall within these markings and look amber in colour. If the level is lower or the oil on the stick looks very dark and thick, your car’s engine may be leaking or burning oil. It’s important to investigate this as soon as possible so you don’t encounter mechanical issues while you’re traveling.

Top up your wiper fluid

Did you know there are two types of windshield washer fluid? Most Canadians know about the winter formula, which is often blue and resists freezing in colder temperatures. But there’s also a formula intended for use in the summer, which is often red or purple in colour. It does a better job of clearing stuck-on debris like bugs from your glass to improve visibility. There’s an also an all-season formula available.

If your reservoir is filled with winter fluid, wait until the level is low in the spring and the nfill it with the summer or all-season formula. Consider bringing a backup jug if you’ll be on the road for extended periods in remote areas.

If it’s been a while since you last changed your windshield wipers, you may wish to do this as well. Experts recommend changing your wipers every 12 months to ensure they operate at their best.

Pack an emergency kit

Canada is a vast country, and a lot of it is remote wilderness. No matter where you’re headed this summer, it’s important to be prepared. Packing an emergency kit will ensure you’re prepared for the unexpected and give you peace of mind.

Every car with a gas-powered engine should have a set of jumper cables or a jumper battery pack on board. You’ll also want to pack a first aid kit, some flares or reflective triangles, a safety vest, extra windshield washer fluid, blankets, a couple of small candles and matches, a mobile phone charging pack and cables, bottled water, and non-perishable food items such as granola bars.

Learn more about packing an emergency kit for your car >

Accessories might help as you consider how to get your car ready for summer road trips

If your summer adventure demands different gear than you’d usually carry, consider whether adding some accessories might make your life easier.

Need to bring a couple of dirt bikes along? Perhaps a hitch-mounted or roof-mounted bike rack would help. Expect to haul plenty of gear to the campsite? It might be time to invest in a roof box. If you’re traveling with young kids, a car caddy gives them a place to store snacks, drinks, books and toys within easy reach.

Make sure you know who to call for help

Sometimes, even after the best laid plans, you’ll still need to call for help. If your car is five years old or less, it may still covered under the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty, which should also come with 24/7 roadside assistance. Check that your coverage is still active and that the number is readily available in your glovebox before you start your journey.

If your car is older, a CAA subscription is a great investment. For less than you’d pay for an emergency towing call, you’ll have access to roadside assistance and other emergency services anywhere in Canada, plus other membership benefits. You’ll only need to call CAA once to learn that an annual membership is a great bargain.

If you’ll be well outside of mobile phone service for long periods where you may not be able to call CAA, consider purchasing an emergency beacon. This links with satellite communication to alert authorities that you need help, no matter where you are in the world. An emergency beacon is an investment, but if you frequently travel outside mobile phone coverage, it only takes one emergency use to be thoroughly worthwhile.

Check out more driving and car care tips >