Summer Car Care + Free Printable

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerCarCare #CollectiveBias

We are embarking on a 3600 mile road trip to visit Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park this summer.  Before taking any road trip, especially when pulling our camper, we make sure that our vehicle is fully ready to tackle the adventure.  By performing routine maintenance on my vehicle I am hoping to avoid any possible problems while on our road trips and day to day.

I have compiled a list of things to check, change and top off before each road trip.  I also have created a free printable that you can get here listing what I check before a road trip.

• Check tire pressure 
• Check tire tread
• Check oil and oil filter, change and replace if needed
• Check air filter and replace if needed with FRAM Extra Guard Air Filter
• Check windshield washer fluid
• Check wiper blades

Replacing Your Air Filter

Having a clean air filter is important to how your vehicle performs.  An air filter prevents dirt and dust from entering and damaging your engine.  It can also increases your vehicle’s acceleration, horsepower and engine performance.  FRAM recommends changing your air filter annually or every 12,000 miles (*always follow recommended change intervals as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual).

Did you know that you can easily replace your vehicles’ air filter at home?  At my last oil change, I was told that I should replace my air filter, but I did not want to pay to have it done.  Yes, my air filter definitely    needed to be replaced!

Instead I went online to find out what FRAM Engine Air Filter I needed for my vehicle.  Then I visited my local Walmart’s automotive section to pick it up.  Walmart also has books available in the aisle to look up which air filter you need based on your vehicle.

It took my husband less than 5 minutes to change my air filter.  My vehicle did not require any tools, we just had to unclamp the cover to the air filter and lifted up to remove.  However, some vehicles may require simple tools.  After pulling the old air filter out, the new one just dropped into place and the cover got clamped back on.  We did vacuum out the inside under the air filter because there were several dead bees.

It was so very simple and inexpensive to change the air filter in our vehicle!  If you would like to watch a video on how to change your air filter, FRAM has one on the Walmart site after you choose the type of vehicle you have.

How do you prepare your vehicle for summer road trips?