Ten Ways to Make Your Holiday Road Trips Safer
Going on a road trip with the family is fun and exciting but you have to be well prepared to make sure that your dream holiday does not turn in to a nightmare. Make sure you have all the essentials and a few emergency supplies. Most importantly make sure your car is up to the task. The last thing you need is some car trouble in the middle of nowhere, if that happens, you will have to fork out money and call a towing service.
Here are some tips to help make your holiday road trips safer:
1. Check your car’s gas and fluids levels.
First thing is to make sure you have enough fuel to reach your destination or at least to a refueling station along the way. Take a look at your fluid levels including the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and specifically a de-icer in case you are planning on heading out during the extreme cold weather. These are crucial components that have a massive impact on the running condition and performance of your car.
2. The wipers must be in excellent condition.
You will need your wipers to get the rain, snow and other debris out of your view while driving. So you need to check if these are still okay or will require replacement soon. Test them and check if they work well in clearing the ice and water before you leave the driveway.
3. Inspect the washer fluid for the car window.
How is the washer fluid level right now? Do you have enough? The fluid needs to be ready to get the mud, snow, salt and dirt out. If you are in a sub-freezing temperature, you will have to use antifreeze, too, while you drive.
4. Do your heater, AC, and defroster work?
When you drive during the holidays, you can pretty much expect to deal with such a tough environment. Particularly in Canada where winters can be brutally tough, you need to make sure the heater and defroster are working properly. The AC system is also important to prevent the windows from fogging up or getting everyone in the vehicle uncomfortable because of the heat.
5. The main battery must be in good condition.
Most cars get pulled out of the road by Markham tow trucks because of a dead battery. With this in mind, you can avoid this situation by checking and testing your main battery’s performance. Usually, it can last up to 2 years in a warmer climate. However, it can only be good for up to 4 years when you are in a colder location. Tell-tale signs that your battery needs changing is if you have a hard time starting the vehicle, radio and car lights will also falter. Make sure the battery terminals are tight and secure before heading out on the road.
6. Check your tires.
A flat tire is another reason why people have to call a reliable towing Markham has to offer that will get them out of the road. So be sure to inflate the tires to a correct pressure or psi. Normally, tires are good up to 5 years when regular rotation and proper air pressure are provided. It is also important that you have a spare tire that is in good condition. This way, you can have something reliable to use when you blow a tire.
7. Be sure your brakes are working.
Are your brakes in good condition? Make it a point to check it before you go. Another thing is you should brake ahead whenever it is necessary. By having better traction control, you can stay away from danger and accidents.
8. Get your repair kit ready.
For instance, you are heading to the mountains, or any places that receive a lot of snowfall. In this case, you will need to pack up your truck with essential tools and materials such as a shovel, bucket of sand, and some chains that can come in handy when you are stuck on ice or snow. If you have snow tires, this is even better since ski and tundra country can benefit greatly from these. Having these in the trunk can reduce the chances of having to contact a towing company Markham specialist for help.
9. Stock up on food and other essentials.
This is why you will have to pack some essentials before leaving home such as flashlights, emergency food items, blanket, boots, additional parkas, water, snowbrush to get you on the road or get by with the cold weather in case you are stuck while waiting for a Markham tow truck to save you. Don’t forget to pack necessary medications and a first aid kit as well.
10. Plan for pit stops.
While it is fun to drive during the holidays, you will have to admit the fact that it can be tiring. This is why having some rest stops is important to prevent yourself from getting exhausted during the drive. An exhausted driver can be prone to accidents, so you have to mind your health, too, instead of going full on when you are already very tired.
With these tips before heading out for a holiday drive, you can prevent accidents that come with unnecessary expense and the need to contact a Markham towing company to get you out of the road and have your car fixed because of an emergency.
Here are some tips to help make your holiday road trips safer:
1. Check your car’s gas and fluids levels.
First thing is to make sure you have enough fuel to reach your destination or at least to a refueling station along the way. Take a look at your fluid levels including the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and specifically a de-icer in case you are planning on heading out during the extreme cold weather. These are crucial components that have a massive impact on the running condition and performance of your car.
2. The wipers must be in excellent condition.
You will need your wipers to get the rain, snow and other debris out of your view while driving. So you need to check if these are still okay or will require replacement soon. Test them and check if they work well in clearing the ice and water before you leave the driveway.
3. Inspect the washer fluid for the car window.
How is the washer fluid level right now? Do you have enough? The fluid needs to be ready to get the mud, snow, salt and dirt out. If you are in a sub-freezing temperature, you will have to use antifreeze, too, while you drive.
4. Do your heater, AC, and defroster work?
When you drive during the holidays, you can pretty much expect to deal with such a tough environment. Particularly in Canada where winters can be brutally tough, you need to make sure the heater and defroster are working properly. The AC system is also important to prevent the windows from fogging up or getting everyone in the vehicle uncomfortable because of the heat.
5. The main battery must be in good condition.
Most cars get pulled out of the road by Markham tow trucks because of a dead battery. With this in mind, you can avoid this situation by checking and testing your main battery’s performance. Usually, it can last up to 2 years in a warmer climate. However, it can only be good for up to 4 years when you are in a colder location. Tell-tale signs that your battery needs changing is if you have a hard time starting the vehicle, radio and car lights will also falter. Make sure the battery terminals are tight and secure before heading out on the road.
6. Check your tires.
A flat tire is another reason why people have to call a reliable towing Markham has to offer that will get them out of the road. So be sure to inflate the tires to a correct pressure or psi. Normally, tires are good up to 5 years when regular rotation and proper air pressure are provided. It is also important that you have a spare tire that is in good condition. This way, you can have something reliable to use when you blow a tire.
7. Be sure your brakes are working.
Are your brakes in good condition? Make it a point to check it before you go. Another thing is you should brake ahead whenever it is necessary. By having better traction control, you can stay away from danger and accidents.
8. Get your repair kit ready.
For instance, you are heading to the mountains, or any places that receive a lot of snowfall. In this case, you will need to pack up your truck with essential tools and materials such as a shovel, bucket of sand, and some chains that can come in handy when you are stuck on ice or snow. If you have snow tires, this is even better since ski and tundra country can benefit greatly from these. Having these in the trunk can reduce the chances of having to contact a towing company Markham specialist for help.
9. Stock up on food and other essentials.
This is why you will have to pack some essentials before leaving home such as flashlights, emergency food items, blanket, boots, additional parkas, water, snowbrush to get you on the road or get by with the cold weather in case you are stuck while waiting for a Markham tow truck to save you. Don’t forget to pack necessary medications and a first aid kit as well.
10. Plan for pit stops.
While it is fun to drive during the holidays, you will have to admit the fact that it can be tiring. This is why having some rest stops is important to prevent yourself from getting exhausted during the drive. An exhausted driver can be prone to accidents, so you have to mind your health, too, instead of going full on when you are already very tired.
With these tips before heading out for a holiday drive, you can prevent accidents that come with unnecessary expense and the need to contact a Markham towing company to get you out of the road and have your car fixed because of an emergency.