Driving Tips

Road trips can be exhilarating, relaxing and a blissful euphoria of freedom. The road lies ahead and you are eager to take it to a glorious path unknown. With the wind whipping through the open window your hair can do nothing but submit to the relentless force and dances about like those inflatable advertising characters outside car dealerships. You turn up your music and feel a fierce release of endorphins invade your body like shoppers penetrating a Best Buy electronics store on Black Friday. You are free.

Before you fall into a deep trance of ecstasy; stop. This blog is not about one’s dream of becoming the next Thelma & Louise.  This blog is about preparing yourself for a road trip. Where you go and what you want to bump on the radio is up to you, but there are a few key ideologies of preparedness one must take into consideration before hitting the open road.

1.       Invest in a map unless you have a cell phone that can work on the moon (or close to it)

GPS devices or cell phones are a great way to find your way around these days. Nothing against Lewis & Clark who navigated their way through the western hemisphere using limited means, but today we have a multitude of gadgets to help us on our way. Sorry guys. The problem with technology however is reception can often be sparse especially in rural areas. By also having a map as a backup it will help you if your phone carrier lets you down and Sacajawea is nowhere in sight. 

2.       Vehicle check up

You don’t need to get yourself talked into the 50,000 mile check up for thousands of dollars at your dealership, but the basic maintenance necessities are important. Check tire pressure, top off any fluids that are low, check oil, and make sure windshield wipers are in working order.

3.       Realistically schedule your drive

If you are a real go-getter and think you are going to do x number of miles in x number of hours, good for you. Make sure you stick to it. For the rest of us, leave plenty of grace time to account for traffic, bad weather, or wrong turns. The last thing you want to do is get stuck miles from lodging or a gas station.

4.       Pack your car with the “what ifs”

Most trips go as planned but all it takes is one mishap and you’re featured on the next episode of I Shouldn’t be Alive on the Animal Planet. Pack extra blankets, rope, a toolkit, and a knife. An extra set of keys is also a good idea in case you lock yourself out of your car. The idea is to keep them on you or at least give to your passenger to hold in case you manage to lock yourself in your own car.  If this happens your friend will probably just take off in embarrassment instead of releasing you from your metal prison on wheels.

5.       Pack  your car with the perishable “what ifs”

Most trips go as planned but all it takes is one mishap and you’re featured on the next episode of I Shouldn’t be Alive on the Anim- wait a second, this sounds awfully familiar…

Water is the lifeline of our existence so make sure to bring enough supply for two nights just in case.  Not a single episode of I Shouldn’t be Alive has ever ended by one of the lucky survivors as they are rescued from the clenches of death exclaiming, “We really had too much water in the desert.”

Stock your car with snacks as well. You don’t need to pack a meatloaf and three sides, but granola bars, trail mix and various nuts are hearty snacks.  If you can’t find these items it is legal in some counties to steal them from a chipmunk.

6.       Medicines

If you are traveling with an elderly relative or anyone that requires frequent medications such as diabetics, people with heart conditions, or allergies it is important to carry and extra supply of insulin, nitroglycerines, or an EpiPen just in case. Having your car break down, then going hungry in the desert is stressful enough without being stung by a scorpion without your proper allergens.

7.       Car supplies

A flat tire can ruin a road trip, but if you have a mobile jack and spare tire you can be on your merry way in no time. Additional oil, coolant, and a pressure gauge to check tire pressure can help as well.

If you follow these tips your time on the open road can be happily spent listening to your new Britney Spears album and less time worrying if your car is about to blow a tire and erupt in a fiery ball.

Stay safe out there.

Whether contemplating a new car or getting your current car ready for the road, these tips will help you drive safely this winter.Try a Winter Driving Safety Quiz

Front, Rear, All, and Four Wheel Drive: Which one is best for winter travel?

In order from worst to best:

A rear wheel drive vehicle with an open differential can't put down power if one of the rear wheels starts slipping. Fortunately, these are only seen today on base model trucks and vans.

Most newer rear wheel drive vehicles have a limited slip differential. If one drive wheel starts slipping, power is redirected to the other wheel.

A front wheel drive powertrain gets better traction because the weight of the engine and transmission is over the drive wheels.

When engaged, a four wheel drive system sends power to every wheel. This even power distribution can get the vehicle unstuck when the front or rear wheels are in a place that they can't get traction. However, this also means they can't compensate for different wheel speeds when turning, which can make handling unpredictable on dry pavement.

An all wheel drive powertrain automatically adjusts power to each wheel, allowing for both the traction capabilities of 4WD and the predictable turning behavior of 2WD.

Just as important are electronics systems: ABS can keep the wheels from locking under braking, traction control can keep the vehicle from spinning out while moving from a start, and electronic stability control can keep power in check while making a turn. Having these systems will improve traction with any drivetrain.

Getting the Best Performance from Your Vehicle

There is nothing that improves winter driving more than the right set of tires: While all wheel drive and advanced computer aids will get a vehicle moving, its the ability of the tires to grip the road that determines stopping distances.

While all-season tires are far better than summer performance tires in the snow, they're a far cry from true winter tires. The "M + S" label found on many all season tires stands for "mud and snow," but all that means is they have a thick tread depth. After just 20% of the tread has worn off, these tires lose 80% of their grip on ice and snow.

Winter tires are more than just deep treads: the compound has a special compound that wicks away water created when the warm tire melts the ice it's riding on. The compound also stays pliable in very low temperatures, and is soft enough to handle the bumpy surfaces left behind by compacted snow.

For most drivers, studless winter tires are the best choice as they can handle slick roads without majorly compromizing dry surface performance. Studded tires have better ice performance, but they're terrible on dry roads, and are outlawed in many areas because they rapidly wear to road surfaces. A new category, winter performance tires, is biased more towards dry road performance. These are available in the low profile sizes popular on sports cars. Here's a helpful Winter Tire Decision Guide

There are a few more things you should consider when getting your car ready for winter travel:

Batteries take cold weather the hardest, losing 35% of their cranking power when it dips below freezing, and 50% once the temperature reaches 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius.) While most new batteries are sealed "maintenance free" units, they can still benefit from having clean terminal contacts. If the battery is a few years old, take it into a parts store for a load test. If it doesn't pass, it's better to get a replacement now instead of being stuck in a parking lot.

For severe cold weather, you may need to switch to a lighter oil. The "W" on the label of multi-grade oils doesn't stand for "weight," it stands for "winter." These oils have been tested to flow at the rate in front of the W at freezing temperatures: A 5W30 oil will flow like a 5 weight oil when cold, thickening to a 30 weight oil once the engine is up to operating temperature. Information on the proper oil weight for winter temperatures will be listed in your owner's manual as well as a sticker underneath the hood.

The resistance of the engine's coolant to freezing is dependent of the age and quantity of antifreeze mixed in with the water. Temperature testing can be done at an auto shop, or with a floating ball gauge available at your local parts store.

Wiper fluid is key for keeping the windshield clear of water and road salt. Look for wiper fluid designed for cold use and avoid any that is marked "summer mix." Likewise, winter wiper blades are designed with joints that resist ice build-up and heavy duty low temperature rubber for the blade surface, helping them cut through windshield build-up at any temperature.

It’s called an “accident” for a reason. We don’t plan on getting hit by another vehicle or on running into that tree or pole. But, they do happen, even to the best of drivers. Which is why it’s important to know what to do in case of an accident. There’s no use panicking, so read and memorize these steps if you ever, God forbid, get into an accident. These steps are adapted from the recommendations of the National Safety Council:

1. Bring your vehicle to a stop, and as much as possible, move it out of the way of traffic. This is so the situation doesn’t get any worse by putting more motorists and pedestrians in harm’s way. Turn off the ignition for safety.

2. Do a first aid check. Check yourself as well as everyone else involved in the accident.

3. Call the police, and emergency medical services, if necessary – Yes, this is step three in the whole process, not step one. The absolute first this to do is to assess the situation by getting people and vehicles out of harm’s way and by doing a first aid check. Knowing this information will also be helpful to police and medical services.

4. Mark the scene of the accident. If possible, turn on your emergency lights. Put our flares and/or retroflective triangles on the ground for increased visibility. DO NOT go into the road or use yourself as a way to mark the scene. If you don’t have flares or triangles, then stay on the side and wait for the police.

5. Gather the names and information of all those in the motor vehicle and who witnessed the accident. Especially for the drivers, information should include insurance information and the driver’s license number. DO NOT discuss fault or make statements. Simply collect information.

6.Wait for the police to arrive.

After the police and emergency services arrive, follow their instructions about what to do next. They’ll ask for statements regarding the accident and probably advise you on what to do about your vehicle and your family members. Make sure to get a copy of the police report for your own records, and for working with the insurance companies.

Even though a majority of accidents are preventable, they do still happen and the best case scenario is to know what to do when you get into one. If you know what to do, then you have a better chance of remaining calm and in doing what’s necessary to make sure everyone is okay and that all the information is gathered so everyone can proceed appropriately.

1. Pay Careful Attention to the Speed Limit

Ever drive down the highway, only to see a vehicle that is moving at a ridiculously slow speed such as 40mph? What they are doing is illegal on many highways, as there is usually a minimum speed of 45mph required on such highways. Driving too slowly poses a hazard not only to you, but also to everyone else using that highway. Plus, it's annoying to everyone, and you could be ticketed for it. On the other hand, the speed limit on most highways is 70mph during the day, and 65mph during the night. Once again, the speed limit varies from highway to highway, as there are some that don't get very much traffic at all, and therefore the limit is slightly increased for these places.

2. Stay in the Right Lane

Keep a close eye on any signs that may read "Left Lane for Passing Only", as these are especially common in states such as Texas. Contrary to popular belief, not all highways dedicate the left lane as the "fast" lane, as there are some highways that dedicate these left lanes strictly as passing lanes. It is acceptable to use these left lanes for passing, but not to use them continuously for cruising. Move off to a lane on the right immediately after you are finished passing a car. Such passing lanes are also more common on larger, multi-lane highways. Failure to abide by this rule can result in a fine as high as $200 in the state of Texas.

3. Stay Alert for Trucks on the Highway

Trucks can sometimes weigh up to 40 tons, and require up to 100 yards to come to a complete stop. One good piece of advice is to keep a safe distance behind trucks by watching when the truck in front of you passes a fixed object, then, seeing if it takes you at least two seconds to pass that same object. If it takes less than two seconds for you to pass that same object, you are driving too closely to that truck. Also, don't try to nudge your way between a truck and the curb, as it is a horrendously bad idea. Trucks make wide right turns, having several blind spots up to 200 feet behind their trailer, or up to 20 feet in front of the tractor. In other words, they may not see you. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't see the driver's windows or the actual truck driver, then they cannot see you. Lastly, never pass a truck from behind when it is in reverse.

4. Moving Over for Emergency Vehicles

Many people naturally move an extra lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle that has bright red flashing lights. This is a correct maneuver, as the law requires you to do this. However, did you know that it is usually also required that you go 20mph below the posted speed limit as you do so? In states such as Texas, you could receive a fine of $200 for not following these two rules.

Tips for Road Trips and Longer Drives

5. Taking a Break

Being drowsy can be downright deadly when driving on a highway, or anywhere for that matter. Driver fatigue is an obvious indication that you are not alert enough to drive safely. If you suddenly find yourself yawning incessantly, drifting unintentionally from lane to lane, or find your eyelids closing intermittently due to tiredness, then pull over to a safe place, and stretch your legs. Rest for 15-20 minutes, and repeat this every two hours or so, or better yet, just take a short nap in a safe place, if possible. The best way to combat driver fatigue is to simply prevent it beforehand by preparing yourself. Get plenty of rest before a long drive, and avoid any drinking from midnight to 6 o'clock. Even tiny amounts of alcohol are enough to influence your reaction time when driving.

6. Rest Areas Are Your Friend

Large rest areas are places where you can park your car in a safe environment, and they almost always have law enforcement present. Use these places to your advantage as a place of rest, using the bathroom, checking out road conditions, or learning about local points of interest.

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