Easter is a time for renewal and marks the beginning of spring. With so many people on the road traveling to spend this time with loved ones, it’s important to maintain your vehicle so it continues to run smoothly. This is also an opportunistic time to research car insurance quotes that align with you and your family’s needs. This will not only help get you to your destination safely, it could actually save you quite a bit in the process.
Whether you are going to visit grandparents in the next town over or are packing up the SUV and hauling across country to your dream spring break destination, your car will need some TLC beforehand. Consider the age of your vehicle first, and the number of miles already on it. If you’re confident your car is robust enough for the trip, follow these tips for a smooth ride.
- Prepare Your Vehicle. There are many tasks you can perform on your own such as testing the battery, checking the air pressure in the tires, and testing the electronic components. However, for total confidence in your vehicle’s abilities, take it to your trusted mechanic for a vacation check-up. When it comes to the safety of you and your family, it’s best not to leave anything to chance.
- Take Regular Breaks. While you might be in a hurry to reach your goal, driving for hours non-stop will cause excessive fatigue and increase the possibility of getting into a crash. Remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. If it’s a long trip, find interesting stops along the way that will serve as natural breaks.
- Avoid Driving while Distracted. Most people agree that checking their cell phone while driving constitutes distracted driving. However, there are plenty of other activities that can distract us from focusing on the road.
- Fumbling with the car radio controls
- Reaching in the back
- Being angry, upset or fatigued
- Eating
- Talking to others in the car
- Pack an Emergency Kit. As prepared as you want to be, that should include preparing for the unexpected. If your vehicle breaks down or you are involved in an emergency situation, you’ll want to have a few items readily available. These include:
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Jumper cables
- Cellphone charger
- Blankets
- Water
- Non-perishable snacks
- Flares
- Paper maps in case GPS fails
- Tool kit, along with cutting tools
- Waterproof matches
- Watch for Kids. Since many schools across the country are taking their spring break this time of year, it’s important to be especially watchful for children at play. They may be playing in the streets, bike riding, walking dogs, etc. When you are driving through residential neighborhoods or anywhere that’s not a highway, keep these tips in mind:
- Look for clues of children around: balls, skate ramps, bike ramps, basketball hoops.
- Drive with headlights on regardless of the time of day so children can see you.
- Check between parked cars. You never know when a child may dart out.
- Make eye contact with children and pedestrians when they are crossing the road.
- Always be on the lookout for pedestrians and bikers at intersections and when making turns.
- Keep an Eye on the Weather. In the United States, spring is a time to expect virtually anything when it comes to the weather. You might run into a blinding snowstorm or you could find yourself under a tornado watch. Put a weather app on your phone so you will be alerted about everything from dangerous thunderstorms, fires, and even hazardous heat indexes.
- Be Gas Mileage Smart. With gas prices soaring, a road trip can be especially costly. Fortunately, there are several ways you can save on gas.
- Install a cheap gas finder app on your phone.
- Maintain a reasonable speed. The faster you go, the more gas you will use.
- Avoid rough terrain that can decrease gas mileage by a whopping 30%.
- Pack only what you need. Excess weight will lower gas mileage.
- Consistently check the air pressure in your tires. Over a long trip, they can deflate a bit.
- Figure out ahead of time what you expect to pay for fuel on your trip. This way, you can budget and there will be no surprises.
- Avoid abrupt acceleration. Accelerating too quickly can burn through a lot of gas.
Spring is a great time to travel with the family. Keep things safe and secure by preparing yourself and your vehicle for the unexpected.
