5 Things to Check Under the Hood Before Your First Summer Road Trip

The open road is calling. Make sure your car is ready to answer.

 

Summer is almost here, and if you're anything like us, you've already started mentally mapping out your route, queuing up the playlist, and thinking about where you'll stop for lunch on Day 1. There's nothing quite like a summer road trip — windows down, nowhere to be, the whole season stretched out in front of you.

 

But before you back out of the driveway, there's one thing that separates a great road trip from a stressful one: five minutes under the hood.

 

You don't need to be a mechanic. You just need to know what to look for. Here's a simple checklist to make sure your vehicle is as ready for adventure as you are.

Pop the hood and pull out the dipstick. Wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then pull it out again. The oil should sit between the two marks on the stick, and it should look amber to light brown — not black, gritty, or milky.

 

Summer heat puts extra stress on your engine, so if you're due (or overdue) for an oil change, now is the time. Fresh oil keeps everything running smoothly, especially on long highway stretches where your engine is working hard mile after mile.

 

Quick rule of thumb: Most vehicles recommend an oil change every 5,000–7,500 miles, but check your owner's manual for your specific vehicle.

Your engine generates an enormous amount of heat, and coolant (also called antifreeze) is what keeps it from overheating — especially critical during summer driving when outside temperatures are already working against you.

 

Look for the coolant reservoir (it's usually a translucent plastic tank near the radiator). The fluid level should fall between the MIN and MAX lines. If it's low, top it off with the correct coolant mixture for your vehicle.

 

Heads up: Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Let it cool completely first — we're talking road trip excitement, not a steam geyser in your driveway.

This one gets overlooked every single time, and every single time, someone ends up squinting through a bug-splattered windshield somewhere around mile 200.

 

Windshield washer fluid is cheap, easy to find, and takes about 30 seconds to refill. Grab a jug at any gas station or auto parts store, pop open the reservoir (it usually has a little windshield icon on the cap), and fill it up. Your future self will thank you somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

You don't need to be an expert here — just use your eyes. With the engine cool and off, take a look at the belts and hoses you can see. You're looking for anything that seems off: cracks, fraying, bulges, or anything that looks worn or loose.

 

The serpentine belt, in particular, drives a lot of critical systems — your alternator, power steering, and air conditioning among them. A belt failure on a hot summer highway is not the adventure you were planning.

 

If anything looks questionable, swing by your local Kunes service center before you hit the road. A quick inspection from one of our technicians costs far less than a roadside breakdown.

Your engine needs clean air to run efficiently, just like you need clean air to feel good on a long drive. The air filter catches dust, debris, and bugs before they get into your engine — and after a full winter and spring, it may be ready for a change.

 

A clogged air filter can reduce fuel efficiency and performance, which means more stops at the pump on a long trip. Pull out the filter housing (check your owner's manual for the location) and take a look. If it's dark gray or visibly dirty, a new one is an inexpensive, easy fix.

Taking 10–15 minutes to go through this checklist before your first summer trip can save you hours of headaches down the road — literally. And if you'd rather have a trained technician handle it all at once, Kunes Auto Group's service team is here for you.

 

Schedule a pre-trip inspection at your nearest Kunes location and head into summer with total confidence.