Summer road trips in your near future? If you spend lots of time in your car, whether driving back and forth to work or you use the summer months to travel with your family, you want to make sure you are ready for anything that the road can throw your way. A well-prepared driver is the best kind. Common problems that you may encounter on the road are dead batteries, flat tires, or just being locked out of the car. Don’t find yourself stranded and unprepared. Use the following tips to ensure your safety and trouble-free fun times while you are traveling the roads this summer.
Keep the following items in your car in case of emergencies:
- Cell phone & charger – The ability to call for help if you need it is at the tips of your fingers. Don’t forget to take your cell phone and make sure it is charged or that you have a charger in the car. Apps are a vital part of our way of life and there are some valuable travel apps you can download to your phone; maps, gas station locators, traffic notifications, etc.
- First Aid Kit – Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked with bandages, scissors, gloves, antiseptic and pain-relieving medicines. Be sure that you check your kit often to dispose of any expired medicines and replacing them with new ones.
- Spare Tire, Jack & Lug Wrench – Don’t assume your car has a spare tire. Make sure it is in your trunk or mounted under or at the back of your car. If you don’t see one, check with your car manufacturer, local dealership or service provider to find out the exact tire you need. If you need to know how to change a flat tire, make sure you know how to properly use a lug wrench and jack.
- Jumper cables – A dead car battery is one of the most common car emergencies we find ourselves facing. Make sure your car has jumper cables and you know how to use them.
- Tire Pressure gauge – It’s a good idea to check your tire pressure once a month. You can head off a “side of the road” emergency just by staying on top of your tires pressure. Not to say that you won’t run over a nail or other sharp object and find yourself on the curb, but checking periodically can help with slow air leaks that can lead to flats.
- Antifreeze – Antifreeze raises water’s boiling point and can prevent your car’s cooling system from overheating this summer. Check with your car’s owner manual or talk to a mechanic to find the correct type of antifreeze for your vehicle.
- Snack Items (Non-perishable) – Finding yourself hungry while stranded waiting on a tow truck or 100 miles from the nearest service station can be unnerving. Make sure you have plenty of non-perishable snack items like granola, nuts, protein bars, etc. Don’t forget water bottles!
- Tool Kit – Pack a tool kit with basic tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, and pliers just in case you find yourself in need.
