subject: Prepare Your Car for a Summer Road Trip [print this page] Prepare Your Car for a Summer Road Trip Prepare Your Car for a Summer Road Trip
Summertime is the perfect time for the great American road trip. Thousands travel the roads in search of travel, good times, family, friends and a sense of adventure. Coincidentally, summertime is also the most dangerous time to be on the road.
Danger can come from being ill-prepared for situations while driving. Drivers get tired of long drives, run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere and getting a flat tire are just some of the examples of troubles one can face during a summertime roadtrip.
Here are a few driver safetytips and reminders to help drivers get the most out of their summer vacation.
BLOWBAG Remember this acronym. BLOWBAG stands for: Battery, Lights, Oil, Water, Brakes, Air and Gas. It doesn't have to be summertime to make sure these parts of the car are well-maintained, and this more or less covers engine troubles on a roadtrip.
Wheels Before heading out for your summer destination, make sure you've got the appropriate wheels for the kind of roads you'll be driving on. Make sure the tires are properly-inflated, have the right pressure with the treads not too worn out. Having a spare and a jack handy, with the proper know-how of how to change tires is also going to be a lifesaver.
Pack Light Pack appropriately for the destination. If you have jetskis or boats in-tow, make sure you or the driver have the proper training on how to drive a vehicle with something in-tow. Save as much space as you can when putting things in the trunk, the heavier the load in the trunk, the less fuel-efficient the roadtrip will be. If you're one of those who pack luggage on top of their cars, make sure that it is secured and is able to withstand bumps on roads.
Plan Ahead A good idea before putting the key in the ignition is marking out rest stops and delegating "switch" points - points where another driver would take over to make sure everyone is well-rested during the drive. Make a playlist with your music player of choice so that drivers won't have to fumble with the car's radio. Bring lots of snacks and food to keep children/pets occupied during the drive. Put down coordinates into the car's GPS (if you have one) before hitting the road. This will save a lot of time and energy in the long run.
Have Fun and Be Safe Enjoy the summer sun- it only comes around once a year, and what better way to do that than by being safe on the way. Bring sunblock for those beach escapades and take note of traffic law on whichever state you plan on visiting.
