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Summer driving tips
 Follow
our summer driving
tips and plan for a safer, more fun summer. The summer
months are the time when most Americans decide to plan their biggest
road trips. That means that you are going to be spending more time
on the road, driving further distances, during longer periods of
time.
Our summer driving tips will make these periods of time safer.
In general, such long car trips means that there is more of a chance
that your car might break down. That is why you want to follow our
summer driving tips:
Summer Driving Tips For Before You Hit the Road:
· Tires. Check the tread depth and pressure of your tires,
as well as whether or not there is uneven wear. And be sure to pack
a real spare. If you are out in the middle of nowhere and your tire
blows, you might have to drive quite a distance on your spare. Make
sure that you switch your winter tires to all-season or summer tires.
· Service your vehicle. Make sure that you take your car
in for that needed oil change before you hit the road. Be sure that
you all of your fluids are full (check the oil, windshield washer
fluid, coolant/antifreeze, etc.)
· Check your cooling system. Unless you know a lot about
cars, we suggest that you have professionals help you check the
radiator, belts and hoses, coolant, cooling fans, water pump, and
heater core.
· Also check (or have someone else check) the tie rod ends,
steering components, ball joints, refrigerant level, compressor
clutch, etc. Check your wiper blades and battery, too.
· Pack an emergency kit that includes: jumper cables, flashlight,
first aid, flares, water, nonperishable food, extra washer fluid,
basic tools, and anything else that you think you might need.
· Packing for your trip and loading your car: be smart about
it. You do not need to take your entire wardrobe for a weekend trip!
The less you bring, the lighter your car will be, and the less gas
you will use. Be sure that when you load your car you keep the driver’s
visibility clear (if it is not, perhaps you need to rethink which
items are really necessary to bring on your trip). Keep the items
that you may need on top (like snacks, camera, etc.)
Summer Driving Tips For Once You Are on Your Merry Way:
· Stay awake! Long drives mean longer hours at the wheel,
and most people can not handle more than a few hours driving without
some kind of break. Take breaks when you need them. Switch drivers
often. Pull over for the night if you are really drowsy. Before
you drive, make sure that you are well-rested from the night before.
Caffeine may help in the short-term, but it can hinder you in the
long-run.
· Why not take the scenic route? Do not be in a hurry to
get to your destination. A road trip is not a good excuse to set
your cruise control at 10mph above the speed limit. Besides, a road
trip is not just about the destination, it is about the journey
it takes to get there.
· If you are towing a boat or trailer, be sure that you drive
slow and smooth. You must do everything with more caution, including
turning, accelerating, braking, and changing lanes. Be sure that
you have good mirrors that will help you cover your blind spots.
· Try to drive during the daylight hours. You will be able
to see better and will have more reaction time to obstacles up ahead.
· Watch out for our favorite furry critters!
The most important summer driving tip is to have fun! Well, actually,
that is the second most important. The true most important summer
driving tip is to be safe and cautious.
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