Winter Road Trip: How To Succeed
With winter here and the festive period coming closer each day a lot of people will be thinking of those long haul winter road trips taken to drive home from work or to go and see your family. Of course this year things are different with coronavirus and the different restrictions being opposed around the world but it doesn’t change the fact that longer road trips may need to be undertaken in your trusty car. Some are fine with these kinds of trips, but others, those who aren’t always comfortable driving long distance or who haven’t been driving for long might benefit from reading a few tips beforehand. These can get you started but remember, your trip and the car in which you’re taking it in will be unique, so try to apply then to your own situation.
Take Care of the Tyres
In some countries it’s the law to change a car’s tyres to suit the season. At the very least, you should be measuring the tread to ensure you’re within the legal boundaries. It doesn’t matter if you’re on 4wd rims or stock rims, you need to make sure the tyres are right. If they’re bald, change them. Make sure you inflate them too as underinflated tyres are dangerous, plus they ensure you burn through petrol a lot quicker. On the same note, consider what kind of luggage you’re carrying. If you’re taking a lot with you, you might need to inflate them a little more than you usually would. You can find the exact PSI calculation in your vehicle handbook if you’re not sure.
Be Safe
You need to take things which can keep you safe in an emergency, especially if you’re travelling through a wide open country which isn’t travelled that often. Make sure you have a phone, so that you can call for help if needed. It might also be a good idea to tell people you’re on the road. That way if you don’t get there in good time they can alert people who can help you. If you’re going offroad for whatever reason, make sure you take some spare water and maybe a blanket or two in case you breakdown and it gets a bit cold. On the same note, to ensure the car is going to run right make sure you check the fluids. If you’re not sure which ones your car needs, the handbook or a mechanic can help you.
Get A Decent Sat-Nav
A lot of cars come with sat-nav built in these days. You can buy some Sat-Nav gear on amazon, but be careful, some sellers are great but some have gotten there by promoting their amazon organic rankings, so be sure to do your due diligence and make sure that you research the seller and the seller’s product thoroughly. If you’ve got a good mount for your phone, you can use that to get you where you need to be. Be aware, sat-nav apps can drain the battery quite fast so try to ensure that you’ve got a good charging cable with you and that it’s plugged in before you set off.
