The temperature in Arizona has fallen to a cool (some might even say brisk) high 90s! You know what that means? Fall is just around the corner! And in Arizona, this is the perfect time to go camping, take the RV out, or plan a road trip up North. After the grueling heat, dust storms, and monsoon season we just had, it’s always a good idea to make sure your vehicle is in good shape to make this trip safely, without any hiccups that could have been avoided.

Read below for our 5 tips to keep you, your family, and your car happy (and safe!) for any upcoming adventures you have planned!

Tip #1:  Check your tire pressure.

Changes in weather (hello, hot scorching oven-like summers of Arizona) can directly affect a vehicle’s tire pressure. If the pressure is too high or too low, it increases your chances of a blowout or flat tire. And no one heads out on a road trip with the hope that you’ll be sidelined on some random highway in the middle of nowhere with a blowout. Sure, many people have a decent spare, the know-how, and all the tools necessary to change a tire, but it can definitely put a damper on your weekend get-away. To be safe, take a survey of your tires (yes, including that spare) to make sure your wheels aren’t damaged and the pressure is where it needs to be. You’ll thank yourself later!

Tip #2: Check your lights.

Often, road trips lead us to places that we aren’t all that familiar with. And what can help you navigate through terrain that is unfamiliar? Yup, lights. Lights that work. So, check your headlights and brake lights, and be sure to make sure you’re signal lights are functioning properly as well. No one wants to be driving on that curvy, dirt road when the sun is going down and realizing in that very moment, that your lights aren’t working correctly.

Tip #3: Check your windshield and windshield wipers.

The windshield is such an important part of your vehicle. Not only do windshields function as a vital safety feature by contributing to the overall structural integrity of the car, but it serves as a barrier protecting you and your loved ones from the outside environmental elements in which you are driving. So, keeping your windshield clean and maintainedand ensuring your windshield wipers are functioning properly, can help clear the glass from any rain, snow, fog, or dirt that you may experience on your open-road adventure!

It’s also extremely important to take care of any windshield damage you may have prior to going on your trip. We all love the feeling of driving out on the open road and exploring different parts of our great state, but these adventures are often accompanied by gravel and debris that can cause worsening windshield damage. If you already have achipped or cracked windshield before your road trip, there’s a good chance that any gravel that impacts your windshield could cause enough damage to require a complete windshield replacement, rather than a simpler windshield repair.

Tip #4: Check your windshield wiper fluid.

Seems simple enough right?! You’d think so; however, windshield wiper fluid is often forgotten about until the very moment it is needed. And no one wants to be driving around in the middle of nowhere with a nice thick layer of dirt covering their windshield and no windshield wiper fluid to clean it off. So, take a minute and top off that windshield wiper fluid!

Tip #5: Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

This may seem like a negative mindset to have before going on a road trip, but it’s always good to have a backup plan. Backup plans are good in many situations, and a road trip is no different. So, sign up for a service like AAA. Just in case. Hopefully it’s not needed, but it’s always a good idea to know that, if absolutely necessary, you can call AAA and get someone to come directly to your location (no matter where you are) to help with whatever service is needed.

Going on a Road Trip?

All of us at Auto Glass 2020 love going on road trips just like the rest of you. And we want to help ensure your road trip is everything you dreamed it would be. Full of adventure and fun. Full of quality time with your family and friends. And full of memories you won’t forget. So, if you’re planning an upcoming road trip and you just realized you have a chipped or cracked windshield, we’ve got you covered! Call Auto Glass 2020 today at (480) 283-7751 or get a quote here. We will get your car and auto glass in tip-top shape so you can focus on all the memories you’ll make on the next great adventure!