According to AAA, more than 80 million Americans take a road trip each year that has them driving 50 miles or more from home. Whether you are taking a holiday trip to visit family or are the adventurous type and want to drive cross-country, here are three tips to ensure your journey is a safe one.
Get a Checkup
There are several car maintenance measures you have to do to keep your car in tip-top shape. One of those is having your vehicle serviced regularly. This involves having all of your fluid levels checked (oil, brake fluid, coolant, etc.), tire pressure, lights and turn signals, and all belt and hose connections. Remember, a pre-trip checkup is the one thing you can do that will tell you whether your vehicle will make however long a trip you plan on taking in it.
Check Your Spare
Sure, everyone has a spare tire in his or her vehicle but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should actually put it on your vehicle. Maybe your vehicle is a 10-year-old model and you’ve been lucky to never need the spare. Maybe it’s not quite that aged, but it’s still pushing five or six years. Tire manufacturers say unused spares can last up to 10 years, though other organizations say six years. Check to make sure your spare is still in good working order in case you need it.
The Trunk
Your trunk is one space that’s practically made for storing useful items you will need on any drive, even if it’s just around the corner to the gas station. You always want to make sure you have certain items within easy reach when you open your trunk. Those items should include, but are not limited to, a tire iron, first-aid kit, bottled water, a fire extinguisher, and road flares or reflectors.
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