Get your car checked before hitting the road
Before heading off on vacation, road trippers need to ensure their vehicle is in tip-top shape, says Darryl Croft, part owner of OK Tire in Etobicoke, Ont. Something as simple as not changing your oil could potentially lead to a seized engine and cost thousands of dollars.
And it’s not pleasant dealing with car trouble when that car is full of cranky kids.
Tires low on air could lead to a flat during a long drive. Or, the vehicle could overheat because the coolant system wasn’t checked ahead of time. “In the summertime, the electrical system puts a load on the battery,” Croft says.
Make sure your washer fluids are topped up because you can go through a decent amount on a road trip, especially if you encounter flash rainstorms, he says. And while you should check the engine oil before your trip, don’t forget other fluids (such as brake fluids), which also have a limited life expectancy and may have degraded to the point where they’re not usable for extended periods.
The problem is, Croft says, if people don’t have an obvious problem, they don’t bother to get their car checked before a long road trip.
And, unless vehicle owners specifically ask for a thorough vehicle condition report, they may not be covered beyond a basic oil change or tire rotation.
“A thorough inspection takes more time and there’s more of a cost to the consumer,” Croft says. “so a repair shop wouldn’t do that without a request from the vehicle owner.”
Seatbelts are a no-brainer when it comes to safety, but there are other vehicle features that can improve safety, such as adjustable upper belts to accommodate a person’s size and energy management features that allow the seatbelt to “give” during a severe crash. Rear centre seat lap or shoulder belts provide extra safety for children in booster seats or older children in that dreaded middle seat.
Experts say children can be seriously injured or even killed by an airbag, so children under 12 years of age should sit in the backseat (or, if they’re in the front, turn the airbag off).
Croft recommends having an emergency kit in the vehicle, which should include a first aid kit and emergency road signs to help avoid a collision. To stay alert, he recommends frequent stops and staying hydrated — with water.
“It’s not the coffee that will keep you awake,” he says.