It’s bright, sunny, hot and humid. We all want a getaway. We want to get in that car and head off to the beach or the cottage for a great weekend. But before you get on the road, ask yourself, are you well-prepared for the trip? A recent road trip with my girlfriends that involved unwanted car disasters led me to realize how little I know about vehicle safety tips when on the road.
Read on for tips and tricks, it will save you a lot of hassle in the future!
CHECKING YOUR TIRES
Very important, and yet the most overlooked part of vehicle maintenance. A worn down, under or over-inflated tire can be very dangerous in hot temperatures. CBS News tells us a great trick: Put a penny inside the tread, if half of it disappears in there, the pressure is perfect.
- Get an accurate tire gauge and keep it somewhere handy… like on your key ring or in your glove compartment.
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Find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle (in pounds per square inch or psi), which is usually found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or the glove box, as well as in your owner’s manual.
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Be sure to check your tires while they are cold—when your vehicle hasn’t been used for at least 3 hours (and try not to drive more than 2 km or 1 mile before checking them). When your tires are warm from driving, the air inside expands and you won’t get an accurate pressure reading. Tire pressure changes about 1 – 2 pounds per square inch for every 10 degrees worth of temperature hike.
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Your car’s user manual should guide you better on the optimum tire pressure for your individual needs.
That said, never forget the spare tire! Stranded in the middle of nowhere with no spare tire is not a good place to be in, I speak from experience.
GETTING YOUR BRAKES CHECKED
The long snowy and icy winter was not tough only on you, it was quite tough on your vehicle’s brakes as well. Ensure to get them checked and serviced(if needed) before you head out on that trip. Points to be noted:
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When were they last inspected? If it has been more than 6 months and/or more than 20,000 kilometers driven since the last inspection, now is a good time for another one.
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Hydraulic system should be inspected for leaks
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If the brake tends to pull on one side, or has a distinct sponginess feeling in the pedal, consider it a warning sign.
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Inspection must also include brake linings and pads!
While you are at it, get your EXHAUST SYSTEM checked to ensure it has no leaks, get your HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, BLINKERS, TAILLIGHTS and BREAKLIGHTS inspected, and your BATTERY examined for strength if it is more than 2 – 3 years old.
MUST-HAVES IN YOUR CAR
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We mention the spare tire again
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First-aid kit (includes sunscreen, ice packs, batteries, feminine products, anti-allergy medication, pain killers, tweezers and bandages et cetera)
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Emergency kit (includes flashlight, jumper cables, flares, tools such as wrenches, sockets and screwdrivers, and items such as blanket, clothes, paper towels and gloves.
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Water, both for your and your car’s hydration
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Snacks(granola bars or crackers et cetera)
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Cooler
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Some sort of cover or cloth for the steering wheel will help on a hot day when your car has been parked under the blazing sun for some time. A handkerchief or the paper towel will help too.
SOME NO-BRAINERS
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As this appears to be a common mistake, we must insist, do not leave children or pets in your car!
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Park in a shade, though you do run the risk of bird droppings
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The road may not be wet and slippery, but that is no excuse to drink and drive. Call a cab! The cab drivers need to make a living too.
Drive safe, drive prepared, drive responsibly. Enjoy!
Sources:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/summer-car-maintenance.htm#page=1
http://autos.ca.msn.com/specials/road-trip-guide/article.aspx?cp-documentid=18737086
http://phoenix.about.com/od/car/a/summercar_2.htm
Image source:
http://redesigningsarah.com/tag/road-trip/
Farah Khan
Author
Farah joined ANOKHI LIFE while finishing up her degree in English Literature and Writing at the University of Toronto. Her position since then has expanded across all departments, everything from office administration and corporate affairs, to ANOKHI's online presence and events. . .
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