<\/a><\/p>\nAre you headed on a road trip this summer? If so, this post is for you!<\/b><\/p>\n
To celebrate summer and all things road trip I am excited to have some great tips from\u00a0Ted Mansell, Service Technician and longstanding Hyundai Canada team member.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ted has been working on Hyundai vehicles for 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge\u00a0on exactly what you need to keep yourself and your family safe this summer.<\/p>\n
Tips for a Safe Summer on the Road<\/h2>\n
#1\u00a0Say hello to sunshine:<\/strong>\u00a0Now that winter is over, it\u2019s time to transition your vehicle into summer mode. \u00a0Here are a few things you need to do:<\/p>\n\n- Change from winter to summer tires. Winter tires lose their grip and longevity as the temperature rises.<\/li>\n
- Change your wiper blades if they are streaking and damaged from freezing in the winter.<\/li>\n
- Brush-up on your owner\u2019s manual! A \u201ccheck engine\u201d light can come on for hundreds of reasons, so it\u2019s important to know what to do if it lights up.<\/li>\n
- Check your fluid levels. Today\u2019s engine compartment design makes it easy to check the minimum and maximum levels for most of your fluids.<\/li>\n
- When washing, remember to spray underneath your vehicle to clean the corrosive salt from all the nooks and crannies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
#2\u00a0Take time for your tires:\u00a0<\/strong>Did you know that half of all breakdowns happen due to low tire pressure? The easiest thing to do is a circle check around your vehicle every time you go to drive your car.\u00a0\u00a0The front tires will naturally look softer than the rears, as they carry the most weight.\u00a0\u00a0Here are some helpful hints:<\/p>\n\n- Check your tire pressure once a month. Use the ideal tire pressure found on a label on the driver\u2019s door jam and not the number on the tire itself. The one on the tire is its maximum rating, which could cause a harsh ride and uneven tire wear.<\/li>\n
- Avoid overfilling your tires. Use a quality air pressure gauge to be certain.<\/li>\n
- Under and over inflated tires increase fuel consumption, so keep them properly inflated for your wallet and your safety!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
#3 Refresh your memory about your spare tire\u00a0<\/strong>Surprisingly, many Canadians do not! Know where it is and how to access it.\u00a0You will also want to think about:<\/p>\n\n- You may need to use a custom wrench to release it from its mounting.\u00a0\u00a0Each vehicle is different so be sure to find out what type you need and how to use it.<\/li>\n
- Spare tires lose air over time, so ensure your spare is properly inflated before embarking on any road trip. The ideal pressure is also on the driver\u2019s door jam.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
#4\u00a0Adopt your very own vehicle safety checklist<\/strong>: Quality time on the road means mastering your vehicle safety checklist.\u00a0\u00a0Here is what should be on yours:<\/p>\n\n- Do a circle check before every trip and look at the tires. Apply tips above if needed.<\/li>\n
- Make sure your lights are working.\u00a0\u00a0Be sure to check your headlights and tail lights.<\/li>\n
- Get a full service vehicle check-up once a season.<\/li>\n
- Ensure you know where your spare tire is and know how to change the tire yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
#5\u00a0Pack smart for your road trip<\/strong>: In your vehicle you should always have:<\/p>\n