Four tips to get your car ready for summer road trips


road trip

Summer is almost here, and for 90% of the country, it can't come soon enough!  The country has suffered through a long, hard, winter, and people can't wait to bask in the sun and head outdoors.  With vacation time looming, no doubt you're already planning lots of road trips to amusement parks, the beach, the mountains, or your favorite lake.  I am planning lots of day trips to nearby museums, attractions, lakes, and beaches.  We will also be visiting the UK, and I'm going to be driving to London for the first time ever, on the "wrong" side of the road!  Finally, when Alfie joins us, we'll be going on a weeklong road trip to Scotland.  I can't wait!

Before you go, don't forget to make sure your vehicle is as ready for summer as you are.  WaterSavers®, a consumer awareness campaign from the International Carwash Association® (ICA), has four great, eco-friendly car tips to get you back on the road:

1. Wash your car at a professional car wash. Winter months can be especially hard on your vehicle and washing your car is an easy first step to making your car feel new again. Using a professional car wash is a great way to protect the environment. According to the International Carwash Association, WaterSavers professional car washes use an average of 40 gallons of water or less per car while recycling and filtering their water to prevent harmful chemicals from going into our rivers and streams. Professional car washes also remove salt from the undercarriage of your vehicle, which is a must after a long winter. By comparison, the average home washing machine uses 41 gallons per cycle, and a garden hose uses 63 gallons of water in just five minutes. You can learn more, and find a WaterSavers wash at Washwithwatersavers.com.

2. Give the inside a deep clean. Winter’s elements are hard on the outside of your car, but many people forget the abuse the vehicle’s interior takes as well. Think of how many times you’ve crawled into your vehicle with dirty, snowy feet and you can begin to understand why cleaning the inside is necessary. Apply some baking soda and a rubber sponge to your floor mats for an environmentally friendly and efficient clean. Then, wipe down interior surfaces with a microfiber cloth and vacuum the fabric and floor to remove dirt, sand, salt and dust.

3. Don’t forget the maintenance check. Winter is finally over, but that doesn’t mean your vehicle can skip an overall maintenance check, especially if you want to save energy. Make sure to have your oil changed and give your vehicle an once-over. Check the fluid levels as well. The more efficiently your vehicle runs, the more gas you’ll save.

4. How’s your tire pressure and alignment? Low tire pressure will cause your vehicle to overexert itself and waste gas so make sure your tires are up to the task. Your tires list their recommended pressure on the side. If you can’t find it, you can find the recommended tire pressure in your owner’s manual. It is also a good idea to have a certified technician conduct an alignment test since it could have been thrown off by driving over pot holes during the winter months.


Win a Water Savers prize pack

One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a special prize pack from WaterSavers to help you gear up for your upcoming summer road trips.  The prize pack includes:

  • · Gap Stick: A versatile auto accessory to help access the hard-to-reach areas of a vehicle. Designed with a strong magnetic hook, the gap stick can pick up a key ring, jewelry or anything else that has slipped between the seat and the center console.
  • · Phone Caddy: A plastic phone holder that clips to air vents in any vehicle to keep your phone in view for GPS usage and close to charging outlets.
  • · Auto Trash Bag: A sleekly designed bag with a bottom zippered compartment for extra garage bags or hand wipes.
  • · $50 Visa Gift Card


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share a suggestion for getting your vehicle ready for summer road trips -- or share a description of the road trip you are planning for this summer.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow bonggamom on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like Bonggamom Finds" on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):
I entered the WaterSavers giveaway! Giveaway ends 6/15 at http://ow.ly/wFSjl

6) Tweet this once per day (1 entry per day)
Enter to win a WaterSavers road trip gift pack with $50 Visa giftcard! Giveaway ends 6/15 http://ow.ly/wFSjl

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you join)

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on June 15,  2014; I will draw a winner at random, on June 16 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.



Disclosure: Thanks to the International Carwash Association for providing the giveaway prize pack as well as a second prize pack for me. WaterSaver tips (in italics) is provided by the International Carwash Association. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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525 Comments, Leave yours here:

«Oldest   ‹Older   401 – 525 of 525   Newer›   Newest»
sheila ressel on June 14, 2014 at 8:07 AM said...

I follow you on instagram as instagram.com/sressel1
sressell@earthlink.net

Shayna on June 14, 2014 at 8:08 AM said...

We may take a road trip to a beach nearby but for the most part there will be no road trips due to the fact that we are expecting our second child, a baby girl in August :)

sheila ressel on June 14, 2014 at 8:08 AM said...

I follow you on pinterest as pinterest.com/homelvr
sressell@earthlink.net

Shayna on June 14, 2014 at 8:09 AM said...

I follow on blogger (Shayna Brookman)

sheila ressel on June 14, 2014 at 8:10 AM said...

I pinned this on pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/517139969684666444/
sressell@earthlink.net

Shayna on June 14, 2014 at 8:11 AM said...

I follow on instagram (http://instagram.com/brookmanshayna)

Shayna on June 14, 2014 at 8:12 AM said...

I follow on pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/jaiviansmommy/)

Shayna on June 14, 2014 at 8:13 AM said...

Pinned this giveaway on pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/pin/218776494373496782/

sheila ressel on June 14, 2014 at 8:14 AM said...

I like you on facebook and wrote on your wall:
https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10152488039263151

sressell@earthlink.net

Shayna on June 14, 2014 at 8:15 AM said...

I like Bonggamom Finds on FB and wrote on your wall :)
(Shayna Brookman)

sheila ressel on June 14, 2014 at 8:16 AM said...

tweeted:
https://twitter.com/slr8/status/477831835331084289

sressell@earthlink.net

Shayna on June 14, 2014 at 8:17 AM said...

Tweet https://twitter.com/JAIVIANSMOMMY/status/477831996161671170

Giant Sis on June 14, 2014 at 8:24 AM said...

We're road-tripping from Texas to Illinois! Not very exciting, but grandparents away at the end!
wilburnnewsome atyahoodotcom

Giant Sis on June 14, 2014 at 8:25 AM said...

I Follow bonggamom on Instagram ((giantsis)
wilburnnewsome atyahoodotcom

Giant Sis on June 14, 2014 at 8:26 AM said...

I Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (giantsis)
wilburnnewsome atyahoodotcom

lyndseyluvsjj on June 14, 2014 at 8:53 AM said...

We are planning a trip to Lake Erie. I will make sure to make use of your tips in August when we go. Great advice! Thanks for the chance!

lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com

lyndseyluvsjj on June 14, 2014 at 8:53 AM said...

I am following bonggamom on Instagram as lyndsey1stunna.

Francine Anchondo on June 14, 2014 at 8:54 AM said...

6/14 tweet- https://twitter.com/fmd518/status/477841275824398336

lyndseyluvsjj on June 14, 2014 at 8:54 AM said...

I follow you via pinterest as lyndsey1stunna

lyndseyluvsjj on June 14, 2014 at 8:55 AM said...

Pinned: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/255086766369120728/

ConiSu on June 14, 2014 at 8:59 AM said...

Planning a road trip to Florida this summer

lyndseyluvsjj on June 14, 2014 at 8:59 AM said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/lyndsey1stunna/status/477842714613276672

JewelWood on June 14, 2014 at 9:39 AM said...

https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/477852748868628480

susan1215 on June 14, 2014 at 9:39 AM said...

follow on GFC s2s2

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

susan1215 on June 14, 2014 at 9:40 AM said...

follow on Pinterest Susan Smith

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

susan1215 on June 14, 2014 at 9:41 AM said...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/185773553354136444/

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

susan1215 on June 14, 2014 at 9:43 AM said...

Wrote on your wall https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10152036712816191

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

susan1215 on June 14, 2014 at 9:44 AM said...

https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/477854069264875520

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

Sarah Hall said...

I always like to make sure that the oil has been changed recently and the tires are checked for wear. I also like to check my window washer fluid.

Elena on June 14, 2014 at 12:02 PM said...

https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/477888771501748224

elena150980@yahoo.com

Elena on June 14, 2014 at 12:08 PM said...

entered your British Sterling men's cologne giveaway

elena150980@yahoo.com

latanya t on June 14, 2014 at 1:32 PM said...

https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/477911334080610304

dlatany at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

https://twitter.com/aes529/status/477932622841008128
pokergrl8 at gmail.com

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 3:45 PM said...

I would check tires, check all the fluids and get an oil change KMillheim609@aol.com

sadier on June 14, 2014 at 3:46 PM said...

I'm planning on driving from Indiana to Amherst, MA - if I can work up the courage.

sadier on June 14, 2014 at 3:48 PM said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/wicker404/status/477945490382655489

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 5:31 PM said...

We get our car ready for summer with oil changes, tire rotations, and of course a good ol cleaning.

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 5:31 PM said...

I follow on pinterest jammiem79 sweepmorey at gmail dot com

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 5:32 PM said...

I am a google follower Jammie Morey sweepmorey at gmail dot com

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 5:32 PM said...

I follow on instagram jammiem79

kelley wood on June 14, 2014 at 5:46 PM said...

https://twitter.com/mysweetcarolina/status/477974897931452416

Anonymous said...

6/14 Tweet https://twitter.com/JCHARRIES/status/477978419456933888

jakiesmom on June 14, 2014 at 7:42 PM said...

entered Logitech remote

jakiesmom on June 14, 2014 at 7:45 PM said...

entered british sterling

shirley hicks said...

We are taking another trip to cape Canaveral to see the rocket blast off,an obcession of my autistic sons..hopefull we can swing over to Sanibel island for a few days

cpsnsamples@aol.com

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 8:18 PM said...

https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/478013486015213569

rounder9834 @yahoo.com

Sky Evans on June 14, 2014 at 8:53 PM said...

I suggest stocking up on water in the car.

Sky Evans on June 14, 2014 at 8:53 PM said...

https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/1431650427099055

Sky Evans on June 14, 2014 at 8:53 PM said...

http://www.pinterest.com/skyevans7/

Sky Evans on June 14, 2014 at 8:54 PM said...

I follow on blogger skevens7@gmail dot com

Sky Evans on June 14, 2014 at 8:54 PM said...

https://twitter.com/SkyShyskyk/status/478022788666494976

benz1171 on June 14, 2014 at 9:42 PM said...

https://www.facebook.com/cindy.barr.50/posts/694936390577720

benz1171 on June 14, 2014 at 9:43 PM said...

https://twitter.com/benz1171/status/478034896200298496

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 10:04 PM said...

Not planning on any road trips this summer. I usually make my husband do an oil change before we go on any road trip.

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 10:05 PM said...

Following on pinterest )angelacisco79)

Unknown on June 14, 2014 at 10:05 PM said...

I like on facebook

Janet W. on June 15, 2014 at 3:06 AM said...

tweet 6/15
https://twitter.com/jwatson50/status/478115857974198272
janet3rdgrade@yahoo.com

guettel78 on June 15, 2014 at 3:26 AM said...

6/15 tweet: https://twitter.com/guettel78/status/478121202117255169

gkaufmanss at yahoo dot com

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 4:32 AM said...

https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/478137904175132672

sheila ressel on June 15, 2014 at 4:45 AM said...

tweeted:
https://twitter.com/slr8/status/478140981444083713

sressell@earthlink.net

Fae on June 15, 2014 at 4:49 AM said...

taking a road trip to beach this summer. it's gonna be so fun!

Fae on June 15, 2014 at 4:52 AM said...

i Follow on Blogger!

my email is in my blogger profile.

Elena on June 15, 2014 at 5:24 AM said...

https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/478150946547965953

elena150980@yahoo.com

Shayna on June 15, 2014 at 5:45 AM said...

Daily tweet https://twitter.com/JAIVIANSMOMMY/status/478156097493426176

Tracey on June 15, 2014 at 6:30 AM said...

We'll be taking a daytrip to Stone Mountain State Park to spend the day.
traymona[at]aol.com

Screw Lucy on June 15, 2014 at 8:13 AM said...

Peaks of Otter

Melanie Montgomery on June 15, 2014 at 8:25 AM said...

We of course get an oil change before all road trips.

Barbara Montag on June 15, 2014 at 9:05 AM said...

Daily tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/478206576571187201

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 9:36 AM said...

My husband and I are planning a road trip to Florida

Sherrie on June 15, 2014 at 9:42 AM said...

Entered the British Sterling men's cologne giveaway

Sherrie on June 15, 2014 at 9:43 AM said...

daily tweet

https://twitter.com/Grannylove38/status/478216158546788353

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 10:38 AM said...

I follow bonggamom on Blogger.

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 10:38 AM said...

I follow bonggamom on Instagram as birdiebee52.

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 10:39 AM said...

I follow bonggamom on Pinterest as birdiebee52.

Anonymous said...

https://twitter.com/aes529/status/478230464919261186
pokergrl8 at gmail.com

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 10:40 AM said...

I pinned this giveaway on Pinterest.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/384705993142632830/

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 10:42 AM said...


I "Liked Bonggamom Finds" on Facebook and wrote on your wall.

https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10152490821268151

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 10:42 AM said...

I tweeted.

https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/478231097382535168

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 10:51 AM said...

I entered (joined) the Control Sonos Speakers With Logitech Harmony Remotes giveaway.

Elisabeth on June 15, 2014 at 10:59 AM said...

https://twitter.com/egood33/status/478235250972442624

vandango33 at gmail dot com

sparkedcat on June 15, 2014 at 11:09 AM said...

We are going on a road trip to yellowstone in July. We are really looking forward to it.

sparkedcat on June 15, 2014 at 11:10 AM said...

I follow you on pinterest as s riches

Ellie Wright on June 15, 2014 at 12:19 PM said...

We are planning a road trip from Dallas to San Antonio for later this summer. I don't have any tips, but my husband is a mechanic so he takes care of our vehicles.

Ellie Wright on June 15, 2014 at 12:19 PM said...

I follow via GFC (ellie)

Ellie Wright on June 15, 2014 at 12:20 PM said...

Following you on Instagram (eswright18)

Ellie Wright on June 15, 2014 at 12:20 PM said...

I follow you on Pinterest: mammjamm18

Ellie Wright on June 15, 2014 at 12:21 PM said...

pinned
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/246220304602767235/

Ellie Wright on June 15, 2014 at 12:22 PM said...

I like you on FB (Ellie W) and posted
https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10152491052643151

Ellie Wright on June 15, 2014 at 12:23 PM said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/478256380835426304

Kristen on June 15, 2014 at 12:32 PM said...

tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/478258790077194240

Anonymous said...

I want to drive to road to Hana!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

MamaStace on June 15, 2014 at 2:47 PM said...

https://twitter.com/MomOF2Boysz/status/478292721094766592

Nathansmommy619(At)Aol(Dot)com

MamaStace on June 15, 2014 at 2:48 PM said...

Also entered Logitech Harmony remote giveaway

Nathansmommy619(At)Aol(Dot)com

Anonymous said...

6/15 Tweet https://twitter.com/JCHARRIES/status/478248259904106496

Charity/CC on June 15, 2014 at 3:48 PM said...

I always get a vehicle checkup and I have my tires rotated.

Charity/CC on June 15, 2014 at 3:49 PM said...

Follow on Blogger

Charity/CC

Charity/CC on June 15, 2014 at 3:50 PM said...

Follow bonggamom on Pinterest

ccboobooy

Charity/CC on June 15, 2014 at 3:51 PM said...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/29554941279582956/

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 5:08 PM said...

Daily tweet: https://twitter.com/PuffyBiggers2/status/478328218483556352

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 5:17 PM said...

https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/478330449274888192

rounder9834 @yahoo.com

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 6:17 PM said...

Bonggamom Finds liked on facebook ..under maria simon

latanya t on June 15, 2014 at 7:36 PM said...

https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/478365321535827969

dlatany at gmail dot com

latanya t on June 15, 2014 at 7:36 PM said...

entered british men cologne giveaway

dlatany at gmail dot com

Shelly Peterson on June 15, 2014 at 7:42 PM said...

tweeted 6/15
https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/478366866746777600

Brian E. on June 15, 2014 at 7:56 PM said...

Thanks for the giveaway…heading to the beach @ San Diego with family for a few extended weekends this summer.

Brian E. on June 15, 2014 at 7:57 PM said...

...via Instagram: brianpiero

Brian E. on June 15, 2014 at 8:00 PM said...

Pin: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/574138652468452307/

Brian E. on June 15, 2014 at 8:04 PM said...

Like on FB: bryan eason

Shelly Leatham on June 15, 2014 at 8:11 PM said...

6/15 tweet
https://twitter.com/blessed_nc_mom/status/478374167008395264

Buddy Garrett on June 15, 2014 at 9:23 PM said...

People often overlook the windshield wipers when doing maintenance on their car.

JC on June 15, 2014 at 9:26 PM said...

-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/478393158397460480

Anonymous said...

I'm getting around to having various things serviced, tires, oil change, etc., before we take a trip to the beach.

Tim Moss, yupbucket@hotmail.com

Sand on June 15, 2014 at 9:55 PM said...

I make sure that the car is ready for the Texas heat!

slehan on June 15, 2014 at 10:12 PM said...

I take out all the winter gear.
Thanks for the contest.

slehan at juno dot com

slehan on June 15, 2014 at 10:14 PM said...

blog follow: slehan
slehan at juno dot com

slehan on June 15, 2014 at 10:14 PM said...

pinterest: slehan
slehan at juno dot com

slehan on June 15, 2014 at 10:16 PM said...

Instagram: slehan2

slehan on June 15, 2014 at 10:19 PM said...

FB like: Slehan
slehan at juno dot com

slehan on June 15, 2014 at 10:22 PM said...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/283515739016735208/
slehan at juno dot com

slehan on June 15, 2014 at 10:22 PM said...

entered mouse

slehan at juno dot com

slehan on June 15, 2014 at 10:25 PM said...

https://twitter.com/slehan/status/478407783037952000

slehan at juno dot com

Unknown on June 15, 2014 at 10:26 PM said...

Just had a tune-up, got new brakes now he van is all safe for our road trip in Canada.

jlafount on June 15, 2014 at 11:54 PM said...

Dump everything out of the trunk. Give it a good vacuuming before leaving especially when you drive with the windows or top down

bonggamom on June 21, 2014 at 5:02 PM said...

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered!

bonggamom on June 21, 2014 at 5:03 PM said...

Congratulations to the winner: #219, Shelley Peterson!

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