Planning Ahead

Planning ahead for your time in the car can help reduce road trip anxiety and insure your trip is stress-free.

Use these tips to keep the mood light and the fun going!

Entertainment – Pack brainteasers and trivia questions—fun for the whole family! Bring a variety of music or books-on-CD to satisfy each person and take turns for each rider’s preference.

Food – Bring a cooler of easy-to-chew, fragrance-free finger foods. Small plastic containers of celery and carrot sticks, pretzels and fruit are tasty and healthy. Bring beverages in plastic bottles with close tops rather than pop-top cans to keep things neat.

Breaks – Stop for bath­room visits and stretching every two hours. This is the perfect time for the driver and navigator to change positions to reduce road fatigue.

Pack Light – Make a checklist of what’s needed for each event on the trip, check the items off as you pack, and give yourself permission to not be perfect. You can always pick up items at your destination.

Gas Tank – Fill your gas tank the day before you leave on the trip, so you can get on the road as soon as possible. Gas prices are usually lowest in the middle of the week.

Emergency Kit – A basic kit should include jumper cables, a tire gauge, flashlight, spare fuses, headlight bulb, flares, screwdrivers and wrenches. You should also include a basic first aid kit and zip-lock baggies for everything from wet washcloths to dirty diapers.

Check List

• Radiator Flush
  The coolant in your radiator doesn’t last forever. Over time it can break down and start to corrode the inside of your radiator. Ask your technician to flush the radiator to avoid cooling problems.
• Engine Oil
  If you can’t remember the last time you checked, changed or topped off your engine’s oil, make sure you ask for brand-new oil with a high-quality filter.
• Air Filter

  Your air filter should be checked every six months, so the end of the summer is the perfect time to have it checked and replaced if needed

• Tire Inspection
  Summer traveling could mean driving in the rain. The tread on your tires must be adequate for rainy weather or you could end up in a ditch, or worse. Ask your technician to check the tread depth on your tires as well as your tire pressure
• Windshield Wipers
  After a rough winter, your windshield wipers can be worn out. Replace them at the beginning of the summer and you won’t have to worry.
• Brake System
  It’s a good idea to inspect your brakes twice a year for safety, but be­cause the frequent starts and stops of summer driving can put added strain on your car’s braking system, have your technician inspect your entire brake system before any road trip. Damaged brake hardware can cause brake pads and shoes to drag, resulting in lower gas mileage.
• Battery
  Corrosion is very likely to build up during winter weather driving. Your technician should check your battery posts and cables to ensure you’ll have no starting problems as you start your road trip.
• Headlights
  Sometimes you don’t notice that you have a bulb out. Before a road trip is a good time to take a look to see if you need to replace a headlight bulb. Not only is it unsafe to drive with one headlight, you can get a ticket!