Spring and summer are road trip season, but travelling in the
cooler months has its perils as well. Before you hit the road, here are
some things to think about.
What should every car have in its safety kit?
• A case of bottled water
• A flag or other means of attracting attention
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Extra clothing and footwear
• Emergency non-perishable food
• Candle in a deep tin
• Waterproof matches
• First aid kit
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Fire extinguisher
• Booster cables
• Ice scraper & Snow brush
• Oil and antifreeze
• Paper towels or rags
• Road map, Compass, GPS
• Sand, road salt or kitty litter, and Shovel
• Cell phone charger
It is also important to keep your cell phone charged. Often that might be your lifeline for help, and your charger will not work, once your cars battery is dead.
When planning a long road trip, or a trip to unfamiliar territory, it is also important to let friends or family know where you are going and when you are to be expected to arrive, call and update them along the way, so if you fail to check in, they know to follow up in the appropriate ways.
Prepare yourself as well, a good nights sleep, a proper meal and a few minutes looking up the route online or on a map will help you feel more relaxed, alert and ready to the challenge.
Check tire pressure, oil, washer fluid and antifreeze/coolant levels, as well as all lights and windshield wiper blades.
Fill up your fuel tank before you are empty, if you get lost, you will appreciate the extra fuel.
Consider a pre-trip mechanical inspection, get the car into good shape, peace of mind is priceless! A pre -trip inspection will include much more than a look at the tires and brakes. It is a thorough visual inspection of the car from front to back. It will include things like checking the spare tire for the correct pressure and seeing if the jack and wheel lug wrench are in place, as well as all the usual inspections. Make sure to tell your service provider why you want the inspection and what kind of driving conditions you expect to encounter.
While this list is not exhaustive, it does give some starting points to help you plan to arrive in a worry free manner.
Last of all, enjoy the trip, stop and smell the roses, and take in the views!
What should every car have in its safety kit?
• A case of bottled water
• A flag or other means of attracting attention
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Extra clothing and footwear
• Emergency non-perishable food
• Candle in a deep tin
• Waterproof matches
• First aid kit
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Fire extinguisher
• Booster cables
• Ice scraper & Snow brush
• Oil and antifreeze
• Paper towels or rags
• Road map, Compass, GPS
• Sand, road salt or kitty litter, and Shovel
• Cell phone charger
It is also important to keep your cell phone charged. Often that might be your lifeline for help, and your charger will not work, once your cars battery is dead.
When planning a long road trip, or a trip to unfamiliar territory, it is also important to let friends or family know where you are going and when you are to be expected to arrive, call and update them along the way, so if you fail to check in, they know to follow up in the appropriate ways.
Prepare yourself as well, a good nights sleep, a proper meal and a few minutes looking up the route online or on a map will help you feel more relaxed, alert and ready to the challenge.
Check tire pressure, oil, washer fluid and antifreeze/coolant levels, as well as all lights and windshield wiper blades.
Fill up your fuel tank before you are empty, if you get lost, you will appreciate the extra fuel.
Consider a pre-trip mechanical inspection, get the car into good shape, peace of mind is priceless! A pre -trip inspection will include much more than a look at the tires and brakes. It is a thorough visual inspection of the car from front to back. It will include things like checking the spare tire for the correct pressure and seeing if the jack and wheel lug wrench are in place, as well as all the usual inspections. Make sure to tell your service provider why you want the inspection and what kind of driving conditions you expect to encounter.
While this list is not exhaustive, it does give some starting points to help you plan to arrive in a worry free manner.
Last of all, enjoy the trip, stop and smell the roses, and take in the views!
Scott Waddle is an auto mechanic and the owner of Precision Auto Services located at #101 - 22575 Fraser Highway in Langley, BC. At Precision Auto you can be sure that your car is in the hands of qualified mechanics. Call 604-530-9394 to schedule a consultation today.
Precision Auto Service, where we worry about your car, so you don't have to!
