Summer is here! Grab your flip-flops and swimsuit and get to the beach! Here are some quick tips to make sure you and your vehicle make it there (and back!) safely:

• Avoid overloading your vehicle as it can obstruct your visibility. Too much weight in the vehicle can decrease your gas mileage and create excessive heat inside your tires.

• If you plan to drive in the sand, make sure your vehicle has four-wheel drive. Typically, two-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles typical don’t have adequate traction in soft sand. Also, find out which sections of the beach are affected by high tides to avoid getting trapped.

• If you do get stuck in the sand, don’t panic! To get moving again, reverse out. If your vehicle is bogged down in the sand, avoid the urge to floor the accelerator as it will only dig your vehicle deeper in the sand. Instead, gently reverse on your own tracks, and then try to slowly move forward again. However, make sure to remove sand build-up from behind the tires or under your vehicle before placing your vehicle in reverse. (It may be necessary to repeat this several times.) 

• After you return from the beach, remove all traces of sand, dirt or salt from your vehicle. When hosing your vehicle, pay special attention to areas like the mudguards, where sand is sprayed around and tends to get trapped.

Stay safe and don’t forget the sunscreen!