Prepare and get your vehicle ready, and avoid surprises.
No one wants their travel plans ruined due to their vehicle breaking down, so make sure to give it plenty of attention beforehand. Conduct a thorough inspection of all routine items on your vehicle. The oil should be changed, and you will want to check all the fluids, including the transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and brake fluid.
Please don’t wait until something breaks on your vehicle to replace it, especially when you are traveling for the holidays. Carefully inspect all of the hoses for signs of wear as you never know when they will end up breaking. If you haven’t used your windshield wipers for a while, make sure they are in good condition.
Have someone stand behind your vehicle so you can make sure both of your turn signals work as well as your brake lights. Replace any burned-out or dim bulbs. Do the same for your headlights on both low beams and high beams. This will ensure other vehicles can see you coming and know when you are planning to stop or turn. It's a good idea to carry fuses in your glove box so that you can replace any that may burn out during your holiday travels.
Your tires are essential when you are traveling for the holidays. Inspect the wear patterns on the tread to ensure they are in good condition. If the two front tires are wearing unevenly, you may need to have your vehicle aligned. It may be time to rotate the tires on your car as well, especially if you're unsure of the last time it was done. It's Time..
Depending on the time of year when you travel, such as summer, winter, holidays, or the rainy season, you may experience extreme weather conditions. You need to plan for what you might encounter: snow, wind, rain, and even heat. Ensure you have a survival kit in your car that includes a tire change kit, which may be mandatory for driving on certain roads in some areas. You also want this survival kit to include a flashlight with fresh batteries, flares, food, water, a first aid kit, blankets, a car jack, and a gas can.
It's a good idea to ensure you have a cell phone and an extra charging bank battery with you as well. Most models come with a battery charger that plugs right into your cigarette lighter, so you don’t have to worry about the battery running low while you are traveling for the holidays.
It is never a good idea to be in a vehicle without seatbelts for all passengers. However, some states don’t require the use of a seatbelt, so people ignore whether they are working or not. If you are traveling out of state for the holidays, you may encounter those who require them, and you need to be prepared.
Accidents can still happen even when you have adequately prepared your vehicle for your road trip. Seatbelts and car seats provide a means to reduce the likelihood of serious injury in the event of an accident. Don’t forget the proper car seats and boosters for children, and, of course, remember seatbelts or cages for your furry family members too.
In your glove box, you should have a disposable camera so you can take pictures of the accident scene for your insurance company. Make sure you have a pen and paper handy so that you can exchange insurance and personal information with the other party involved.
Thousands of people choose to travel in their vehicles every year. Whether it is across the state, the country, or perhaps a neighboring country, road trips are a great way to travel and explore the world.
Doing your very best to make sure your vehicle is in excellent working condition will help you arrive at your destination safely.
Any Questions about Luggage, Bags, or whatever, please stop in
Traveling Bags store located at 3830 S. Moorland Road in New Berlin, WI,
Find us online at TravelingBagsMKE.com or
Call us at (414) 817-0222
