Five tips to prepare your car for tailgating
As football season is underway, be ready to join in any tailgate with these tips to prepare your car.
Tailgating is more than just a pre-game tradition. For many, it's a time-honored ritual – a chance for family, friends, and fans to celebrate, eat, and enjoy the lead up to the big game, whether it’s a college rivalry or an NFL showdown.
The key to a successful tailgate experience involves more than just team spirit – you also need a well-prepared car. Whether you're a seasoned tailgater or a rookie looking to join in on the fun, getting your car ready is essential for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are five tips to get your season off to a strong start.
1. Start with a clean car
Before you load up the grill and cooler, give your car a good cleaning. You’ll need all the space you can get, so remove any clutter that’s accumulated over time. A clean car interior makes it easier to organize your tailgating supplies. Plus, no one wants to dig around old receipts and gym bags to find the napkins or the bottle opener. Giving your car a good exterior wash will also make it shine at the tailgate!
Pro tip: Take 5 Car Wash offers car detailing centers that are complementary after receiving an exterior wash.
2. Check Your Car’s Vital Signs
The ‘check engine’ light is the last thing you want to see when you turn your car on game day morning. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order before you hit the road. In the week leading up to the tailgate, check the following:
- Tire pressure
- Oil levels
- Battery charge
- All fluids, including windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, and coolant.
Pro tip: If your car is due for any maintenance, you can visit your nearest Meineke Car Care Center for a check-up to avoid any game-day mishaps. Or, if you need your oil changed, Take 5 Oil Change can replace your filters, wiper blades, antifreeze, and coolant.
3. Maximize cargo space
Tailgating requires a lot of gear (grill, cooler, chairs, tables, food, drinks, games, etc). Before you start packing, take inventory of what you’ll need and make a plan for how to fit it all in your car.
Here are some considerations to use space efficiently without adding extra strain to your vehicle:
- Stack items strategically with heavier items on the bottom and lighter, more fragile items on top.
- Utilize storage bins and crates to keep things organized and easy to access.
- If you have a smaller vehicle, consider investing in a roof rack or a hitch-mounted cargo carrier to increase your storage capacity.
4. Prep the trunk area or truck bed
Generally, the trunk or bed area of a truck is used as a “home base” during a tailgate. You can buy pop-up tents to cover the trunk area, or you can lower the back row seats and lay out mats or blankets to convert the trunk into a useful space to set up food and drinks.
5. Check the Forecast
There are ways to prepare you and your vehicle for all kinds of weather, including extreme heat, rain, or snow. Before you leave, look at the forecasted weather and pack accordingly.
If there’s a chance of rain, consider packing extra towels or tarps to wipe off your supplies before loading back into your vehicle and protect your interior from water damage.
Bonus Tips
To ensure a safe, clean experience for all, here are a few bonus tips to consider this tailgating season:
- As you pack your car, pack whatever you’ll need first (chairs, tables, coolers, etc.) last. This way it’ll be easier to unload once you get to the parking lot.
- Keep coolers flat to avoid any spills. If possible, put them on the ground in between the seats to ensure they don’t tip or shift during the drive. You can also use a bungee cord to secure coolers.
- Bring extra trash bags. You can stuff them anywhere in your car, from the front door compartment to under the seat. And we know from experience that you can never have enough.
- On game day, remember: the early bird gets the worm – and the best parking spot. Arriving early gives you more time to set up and enjoy the tailgate without feeling rushed.
Tailgating is about sharing delicious food, great company, and the excitement of the game. Preparing ahead of time means your car is ready to host the ultimate pre-game party.