It’s almost Labor Day, and you want to go on one last family trip before summer ends. Before you hop in the car and head out on your adventure, make sure the road is clear ahead. Be safe this holiday by checking your car, following the rules of the road, and keeping a wary eye out for impaired drivers.
Before revving the engine
Before you head out on that family road trip, prepare your car. Celebrate Labor Day by testing the work and engineering that went into your car and ensuring its optimum performance.
Some of those tests should only be done by a professional mechanic, so you might want to head into your local shop before an extended road trip. However, there are some car inspections that you can complete on your own. Following are some tests you should conduct before hitting the gas:
- Battery. How confident are you in your battery? Does it sound unusual when you start the car? You can find the rating for your car battery online to check its quality and information about when it should be replaced. Many shops will test this for free.
- Windshield. You never know when the weather might turn dark and stormy. Check your wipers ahead of time so that you’re not caught blind in the event of a sudden downpour. Don’t forget to check your wiper fluid either.
- Brakes. Find a controlled and safe way to test your brakes. Again make sure you have enough brake fluid.
- Steering. Take your car around the block and pay attention to any abnormal noises when turning. Also check the levels of your power steering fluid.
- Engine coolant. Examine the engine coolant level in the overflow tank. Remember never to open the radiator cap if the engine is hot. Any leaks should be fixed immediately because lack of coolant can overheat your engine and cause serious damage.
- Tires. Walk around your car, looking for tears or bulges in the tires’ sidewalls. Test your tires’ tread by placing a quarter upside down in the grooves. If you can see any part of George Washington’s head, the tire’s tread is damaged and it’s time to replace the tire. You also should test tire pressure before departing.
- Emergency kit. At the very least, your vehicle’s emergency kit should contain a flashlight, blanket, first aid kit, and extra water, as well as some tools.
- Weight capacity. Don’t overload your car. Aside from significantly lowering your car’s fuel efficiency, over-packing could strain your car’s engine, tires, and suspension system. Some signs of a potential problem include unusual vibrations, irregular noises, and engine knocking. If you notice any of these signs, ask a licensed mechanic to diagnose your problem.
Again, you may need to ask a professional to check some of these things out. But it’s better to ask one you know and trust to check your vehicle before you a problem than to be stuck on the side of the road. You could be forced to seek help from someone you don’t know.
Troubles on the road ahead
Large numbers of cars on the road during the Labor Day weekend mean danger to both your car and your safety. Last year, wrecks during the holiday caused about 400 fatalities and 38,000 injuries serious enough to require medical care.
For the past six years, 14.6% more traffic fatalities have occurred on Labor Day than on similar non-holiday periods, according to the National Safety Council. As far as holidays go, Labor Day has historically been one of the 10 deadliest days of the year for driving. The reason? Impaired driving. About 40% of the Labor Day fatalities from 1998 to 2008 were caused by drunken drivers.
During the last few years, there has been a national movement to crack down on impaired driving during the Labor Day weekend, but danger is still out there. If you’re out on the road, don’t drink and drive and be wary of drivers that may be impaired in some way, whether under the influence or distracted.
Obey traffic laws, look out for other drivers, and maintain your car to stay safe over the Labor Day weekend. Oh, and enjoy your trip!
Source: AutoInsurance
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