As the Holiday’s settle behind us many of us settled back home, unpacked and ready to relax. After all, the work of travel and vacation is over. But what many of us neglect is pampering our cars after the exhaustive Holiday season comes to an end.
Everybody knows the basics in preparation for those long road trips including car maintenance items, tires and the importance of having a good emergency kit in your car. What many don’t know, me included, is how important it is to follow an “after travel” routine as the miles rack up on our cars.
Car Maintenance
If your car is nearing is recommended milestone maintenance, why not go ahead and take it in for the service. You will have peace of mind as you head out on the road, plus you will be good for several thousand more miles.
If you are between milestone services, it is still a good idea to get your fluids changed or topped off. If you are driving in extreme weather conditions, be sure to check your antifreeze/coolant.
The tires are, literally, where the rubber meets the road in our cars. Check the treads on your tires. How are they looking? If they still have adequate tread but are wearing unevenly, get your tires rotated. If the treads are badly worn or if you see metal meshing replace that tire now! Serious accidents can occur from high-speed tire blowouts. Finally, make sure your tires are filled to their recommended pressure.
Clean it Up, Clean it Out
If you have a long ride ahead of you, take the time to remove any excess stuff that you have been hauling around in your car. You know; things like shopping parcels, sports equipment and the leftover beach toys from summer. Doing this will improve gas mileage and provided everyone more space in the car to stay comfortable.
Giving the car an exterior wash and a quick vacuum and wipe down inside will have your car looking good and ready for a road adventure.
Emergency Car Kit
Never underestimate the importance of having a good emergency kit in your car. By pulling together a few basic things, you will be prepared in the event of an unexpected accident or other breakdown.
A good first aid kit and first aid booklet are a must for your car. The kit does not need to be extensive or expensive, but at minimum, it should contain the following: gloves, tweezers, small scissors, swabs, cotton balls, and antibiotic cream. It should include gauze, medical tape, non-adhesive bandages, and an elastic bandage.
Your glove box should contain pen, paper, a flashlight and some cash. You should also keep flares or collapsible warning triangles in your car as well as a set of jumper cables.
Make sure you have your automobile insurance information handy, including your policy number and agent contact information. Speaking of car insurance, you can always give your agent a call to make sure you still have the best auto insurance for you needs and confirm any steps you would need to take if you were in an accident while away from your home community.
It’s also a good idea to keep some bottled water and snack bars in the car. A warm blanket, and extra pair of sturdy shoes, and an extra sweater are also good to have in the car in case of an unexpected breakdown.
Road trips are a great way to make family memories, at both the destination and during the drive. Be sure to get plenty of rest before you drive and allow time for plenty of breaks to stay refreshed. May your road trip adventures be safe, fun and memorable.
About the Author:
Mikki Hogan is a freelance writer who likes to research and shop online to save money for her and her family. She has used the internet recently to get cheap insurance quotes, price shop on bikes for her kids, and also print coupons to save at the grocery store.
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Twitter: matthewkinsella
says:
I make a lot of long road trips and I never underestimate the benefit of a service and getting a trusted mechanic to check my car over regularly. A lot of breakdowns are preventable if tell tale signs are seen and acted on before they become big problems.
Matt Kinsella recently posted..Think Like a Dog and be Happy
Twitter: Elena__Anne
says:
When traveling by car in the United States, you may have to drive several miles until you reach the next town. If something happens, you must wait many hours until help arrives.
That’s why I agree with all your points Mikki. Prevention is the key for a safe roadtrip!
elena_anne recently posted..Black Currants & Alzheimer’s Disease: The Super-Fruit Your Brain Will Thank You For
I keep telling all my friends to get their car checked before going on a long roadtrip. A close friend of mine, her car broke down in the middle of the night on a forest road. She had to sleep the night in her car as there were no towns nearby, nor was there any phone reception. Needless to say, she had a very crappy night.
Twitter: Oregonway
says:
Another good resource to use are smart phone applications. Many car insurance companies, like Geico and State Farm have smart phone apps that guide you on on how to do things, such as check tire pressure, fix a flat tire and how to jump start a car. In addition, these apps have good guidelines and the steps you should take if you are in an accident.
Regular car maintenance can be a pain but it is so important! There is no reason not to protect an investment that you’ve made, especially if you’re planning on using it for a long road trip. Even just a basic check over of the outside of the vehicle can prevent some headaches down the road!
Twitter: tripLogic
says:
I am so bad about being prepared for road trips! Thanks for the ideas – they will probably help make my next one a little more stress free.
Kate recently posted..Foodie Destination: Magnolia Bakery – New York City
Also, remember that there is nothing wrong with doing extra oil changes. My car has a very long service interval and I do oil changes twice as often as recommended. If you are going on a long road trip this can put you over your recommended service interval so it would be a good idea to do the oil change before your trip. This also gives the mechanic a chance to take a look at your car and may notice a problem. It would be good to get issues address before your trip.
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