It’s that time of the year! Can you smell it? Time for gas prices to escalate, drivers to get aggressive and impatient, roads to get hazardous, and the kids to get impossibly rowdy! The holiday season is upon us!
Now before you jump on the bah hum bug bandwagon too quickly, you should know there are a lot of ways you can prepare for the impending road trip to grandmother’s house and avoid events that are going to raise your blood pressure higher than mistletoe. To prevent any mishaps that could extend your trip or cause delays, we’ve put together a list of ways you can prepare your vehicle for the road trip ahead.
Keep It Clean
Get a complete detail done on you vehicle – particularly the interior. Nobody likes to be in a vehicle for long periods of time to begin with, much less one with funky smells, mystery stains, and the Krystal wrapper from lunch one day last week. And once the car is clean, keep it that way. You can refashion a plastic re-usable cereal container with a small trash bag for a portable (and close-able) trash can. You can also stuff old grocery bags into an empty kleenex box to fill with fast food wrappers and toss each time you stop for fuel up. Both are a convenient size to stick on a floor board, in a console, or under a seat.
Check Your Tires
This may be one of the most important safety tips you’ll ever get. Particularly if you’re traveling North, where snow and ice may challenge your tread, it is vital for your tires to be in good shape. Use a Tire Pressure Monitor or Gauge to check the air in your tires. You can fill up your tires for a dollar at most gas stations, or ask your service advisor about Nitrogen. (Nitrogen filled tires keep pressure longer, helping you maintain optimal gas mileage and overall health of the tire.) You can use the coin test to check tread. If they’re low, you’re going to need to get them replaced before the trip. Bad tread and low tire pressure can not only affect the efficiency of fuel, but it can also decrease stopping speed of your vehicle and endanger your family. Don’t forget to check the spare!
Inspect Engine/ Top Off Fluids
Pop the hood and carefully inspect all of the wires and hoses on the engine of your vehicle. If any are frayed or damaged, you may want to get them replaced before head out. And while you’re under there, check your fluids: brake, transmission, coollant, windshield wiper, etc. Top off any that are low, and consider whether or not your windshield will need wiper fluid that is made for lower temperatures. Depending on how far you plan on driving, it may be reasonable to go ahead and get your oil changed and a new oil filter installed.
Check Your Lights
Get a friend, spouse, neighbor, stranger, or kid to help you check your headlights and brake lights to ensure they are bright and clear on each side. If you can’t get help, carefully park near a wall at night and check the reflections on the wall. You can keep your lights bright by cleaning off the lamps with toothpaste!
Of course, all of the above tips can be done here at Milton Ruben Superstore by your Certified Technicians. In fact, let your Service Advisor know that you’re traveling, and they’ll make sure your vehicle gets a thorough inspection to ensure the safety and comfort of your family on the road. Make your appointment here! Make sure you check for any specials or deals!
Map It Out
Preplan your route with your GPS, Navigation System, or map. If you’re as obsessed with the Food Network as I am, you can plan out pit stops for food through TVFoodMaps.com, which will show you restaurants and diners featured on the Food Network along your desired route. There are also plenty of websites such as FuelMyRoute.com that help you identify the most affordable fuel options. Make a list of destination addresses and keep them handy for reference. Many navigation systems will now allow you to plan your route with “via points,” so you can let technology do the work for you once you hit “go!”
Traffic Happens
Program local traffic stations of cities you’ll be driving through so you can be aware of any possible delays before you get there. Of course, if you’re not willing to compromise your presets on satellite radio, many modern navigation systems will forewarn you and even offer alternate routes in the case of construction or other delays!
Don’t Text And Drive
Of course, it’s tempting to read the incoming stream of plans from your family members as they ask you to report every leg of your trip on the half hour. We know. But it’s not worth the danger you put yourself, your family, and others on the road to take your eyes away from the prize and get distracted. Luckily, modern technology in most of our Application Suite Centers will allow you to connect your phone to bluetooth and have your vehicle read the text messages to you! Thank goodness for manufacturers who understand reality!
There you have it! Be sure to check out our post on traveling safely with your pets, and stay tuned for more posts on preparing for holiday road trips by following us on Facebook and Twitter!
This post was written by Milton Ruben Media Specialist Heather Cortright.
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