How to Get Your Car Road Trip Ready This Summer

For those of you who are driving newer vehicles, you might think that because your vehicle isn’t that old, you don’t need to do any sort of prep work before heading out on your summer vacation. However, just because your vehicle is newer, doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that you should be prepared for.

A flat tire can happen to anybody. And falling rocks are a reality on many BC roadways throughout the Okanagan and Interior. In fact, if you are planning on driving on Highway 3, also known as the Crowsnest, you run a higher risk of mudslides, falling rocks, and accidents in general because of the sheer volume and nature of the highway construction.

Excessively winding roads, towering cliffs, and unpredictable BC weather are all major factors in how any summer road trip can go. That’s why it’s important to make sure that not only you, but that your car is properly prepared before hitting the highway this summer. And if it’s not, you can sell it to Cash For Cars BC and get a better vehicle that can handle any family vacation!

How to Get Your Car Ready for a Road Trip in BC

Every vehicle offers something different when it comes to handling, comfort, and of course, durability. However, there are things you can do to help make sure that your vehicle is at its peak performance and has optimal safety before heading out on a long drive this BC summer.

Travelling through one of Canada’s only deserts like Osoyoos, or navigating the winding curves through any or all of Highway 3 or 5 can be gut wrenching at times. Taking precautions to make sure that you’re ready for anything is imperative as the driver and for your passengers too.

1. Check Your Tires

Furthermore, making sure that you aren’t still driving on your winter tires in the middle of summer is important too. You might think that because roads are dry that what you’re driving on isn’t as important as long as it’s fully inflated, but it matters. Winter tires get softer in hot weather which will contribute to decreased fuel economy. Plus, softer tires make it harder to stop suddenly when emergencies arise.

2. Check Your Fluids

Aside from being involved in an accident, there’s not much worse when you’re on a road trip than finding out that you’ve run out of oil, coolant, or even washer fluid. But that is one of the most common things people forget to check before hitting Highway 1 for an 8-hour drive through the Fraser Valley and Okanagan on their way to the Kootenays.

No matter what part of British Columbia or Canada that you’re travelling through this summer, be sure to check all of your fluids before hitting the road. Failing to check something like washer fluid means limited visibility, and possibly when you need it the most.

• Oil
• Coolant
• Washer fluid
• ATF (if your vehicle requires it be changed, as some do not)
• Brake fluid (mainly on older vehicles)

Forgetting to make sure you have enough oil could mean a seized engine, which would leave you stranded on the side of the road. Additionally, not ensuring that your vehicle has enough coolant could mean something as catastrophic as an engine fire. Taking just a few short minutes to check all your fluid levels before a long drive could save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Fortunately, for Lower Mainland residents, even a car that has caught on fire has some value left in it. At Cash For Cars BC, we buy vehicles of any make and model, regardless of age or condition. That means if your vehicle’s engine caught fire while trying to get up the Coquihalla, we’ll buy it. Or if your truck’s engine seized while heading up the Sea-to-Sky, we’ll offer you the MOST cash for it.

3. Check All Your Lights & Signals

Another very important thing to do before heading out on a long haul is to make sure that all your lights are working. Not only do you need to make sure that your exterior lights are working, but you should also check that your dashboard lights are all fully operational. If your dash lights aren’t illuminating correctly, you could miss vital indicator lights like your check engine light, low oil light, and many others.

When checking your vehicle’s lights, make sure to check:

• The headlights
• The taillights
• Interior lights (not just when the door is ajar)
• Dashboard lights
• If pulling a trailer or camper, check to make sure the string lights are working too
• Hazard lights

You may not think that having all of your lights in working order is essential for a weekend road trip. However, if your car breaks down during the evening, you’ll be really glad that you have both hazard lights, and interior lights to facilitate a way to get help to you.

If voltage isn’t running correctly in your vehicle, you could be left on the side of the road waiting or a tow truck, instead of being off on a family holiday. Your battery only has a certain shelf life, much like anything. So, if you can’t remember when you last replaced your battery, get your local mechanic to check out its condition, or start digging out those receipts from Canadian Tire!

If you do decide to take your car into a professional, like the wonderful mechanics at M&N Automotive in Vancouver, get them to also check your fuses. Sometimes losing lights or other functioning accessories can be a product of a blown fuse. Have them check out both your fuses and battery before going away this beautiful BC summer.

5. Check Your Wipers

Even if your road trip takes place this summer in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Okanagan, or even in the Kootenays, you’ll want to check your wiper blades. You may think that because it’s summer that you won’t even be using your wipers. However, anyone who live in British Columbia knows how unpredictable our weather can be.

Just this past week we’ve had 32-degree sunny days, as well as 16-degree torrential downpour rainy days. Without wipers, you wouldn’t have been able to navigate that rush hour traffic on Highway 1 without hitting someone during the rainstorms.

Aside from rainfall, you also have to be mindful of all the bug debris on your windshield while driving for extended periods of time. As well as things like tree sap falling on your car while being parked. And also, excessive dust from places like Merritt and Osoyoos that have literally dust storms.

What Other Things Should You Bring on Your Road Trip?

Aside from performing some routine vehicle maintenance and checks before hitting the road, you’ll want to make sure that you have some other things in case an emergency arises. You never know what can happen on BC roadways, and when driving outside of the Lower Mainland, you’re more likely to encounter wildlife while driving.

While you’re packing up your clothes and everything else for your vacation, be sure to also pack:

• A first aid kit
• A flashlight
• A jug of distilled water (in case you develop a coolant leak
• A jug of oil (also in case of leaks) & make sure it’s the kind your vehicle needs
• Jumper cables
• Road flares and/or orange pylon in case of a breakdown, day or night
• Fire extinguisher

It can be difficult to prepare for the unexpected, but every little thing that you do to prepare for anything helps. Especially if you’re involved in an accident with a deer after the sun has gone down.

Many British Columbia highways don’t have solid cell phone coverage. This is why it’s important to have all the things you need in case you’re left by the side of the road at the worst possible time.

How Do You Know If Your Vehicle Is Meeting Your Needs?

Sometimes the vehicle we bought many years ago isn’t still working for us the way it used to. People change, our needs change, and naturally, so does the way we use our vehicle. However, making the switch to something new can be hindered by things like affordability, financing, finding someone to take over our lease, and many other factors.

That’s why if you think your current vehicle isn’t doing all it should for you and your family this summer, consider selling it to Cash For Cars BC. We’ll offer you the MOST cash for your car, truck, SUV, van, or motorcycle, so that you can get into something you really love and really need.

Some dealerships will convince you that you’re getting a good deal on your trade-in. However, they usually turn around and sell your car to us afterwards. That’s because they know what we’ll pay for used cars, and they offer you several thousand less so that they can make a profit on it.

Instead, sell your car directly to us and use that extra cash to make a larger down payment on a better vehicle that does all you need it to and more. We handle all the paperwork, we come to you, and NOBODY Pays More!

Want to Sell Your Car Before Heading Out on a Road Trip?

If that family sedan you’ve been driving for the past few years seems to somehow shrink a little bit more every year, you may want to switch to something larger. As kids grow, space shrinks, and what suited your family before may be tough on a long drive now. If you are considering switching into a newer vehicle before heading out on a summer vacation, talk to Cash For Cars BC.

We pay the MOST cash for cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and even motorcycles in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island. Whether you’re selling a family sedan because it doesn’t have enough cargo room (or foot room) or selling a truck that doesn’t have the towing capacity you’d like, we can help.

And since our car buying services are so quick, you don’t have to worry about trying to sell your car on short notice with Cash For Cars BC. We can usually offer same day vehicle appraisals, and make instant cash offers right on the spot.

What Kinds of Vehicles Do We Buy in Metro Vancouver?

Anything and everything, no matter what condition it’s in. We don’t care if it has high mileage, a few dents or dings, major collision damage, or is still within a lease. If it’s a vehicle and you want to sell it, chances are that we’ll make you an offer on it.

We Are Always Looking to Buy:

• Passenger cars
• Sports cars
• Exotic cars
• Rare Imports
• Classic & vintage vehicles
• Station wagons
• Trucks
• Jeeps
• SUV’s & crossovers
• Vans
• Buses
• Hybrid and electric vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Powersport vehicles
• RV’s and campers
• Scrap cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans
• Boats

If you’re interested in finding out what your vehicle is worth, simple call Cash For Cars BC. We buy vehicles from $100 – $100,000 +, regardless of age or condition. Additionally, we are happy to answer any questions that you might have about the process of selling a car.

Call Cash For Cars BC to Sell Your Car for the MOST Cash Today

Getting the MOST cash for cars in Vancouver isn’t all that difficult when you choose the car buying services of Cash For Cars BC. We make the process of selling a car quick, easy, and of course, worthwhile.

Our car buyers come to you to provide free in-person appraisals on your vehicle. Simply call Cash For Cars BC and provide us with the make, model, year, condition, mileage, and location of your vehicle. Then, one of our dedicated car buyers will come out to see your vehicle in person. This can be done at your home, school, or even work, and at a time that is most convenient for you.

Once we see your car firsthand, we’ll make you an instant cash offer on it. If you accept our offer, we’ll handle the paperwork, hand you over your payment, then leave with your vehicle. From start to finish, the entire process takes a little under 30 minutes. It’s that’s simple! Call us today.