5 Important Things to Do Before Long Road Trips

Road travel is one of the most memorable ways to travel and has the pleasure of many games along the way to snacking, but in addition to being enjoyable, poor planning can ruin the fun of the trip and turn it from a great event into an event. Turn from stress. Paying attention to a number of points will ensure the success of your next road trip and ensure that your road trip will go smoothly, even in bad weather or a catastrophe.

Road trips became one of the most popular forms of travel at the time of the outbreak of the Corona virus. Most people go to nature to escape the hustle and bustle. In fact, road trips have not been canceled, with Apple Maps releasing traffic data showing that people continue to use routing similar to before the coronavirus outbreak; But the difference is that people do not use GPS navigation to find their way to the city, but to the road, mountains, lakes, beach and other places in the heart of nature. In fact, it is the effort of people to get out of the house and do activities that have the least contact with other people. It is true that big events have closed, but camping in the forest is still going on.

Here’s how to put one together for use with your trip.

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Prepare for a long road trip

Examine your car thoroughly

“Check car fluids (oil, brakes, gearbox and windshield wipers), pressure and tire treads,” says Finn Murphy, a truck driver and author of The Long Haul. “If the wiper blades make a sound, or leave a mark, get new wipers before moving on the road.”

“Make sure you have a first aid kit in your car and have a road service number with you so you can save time if the tires are punctured,” Murphy said.

It is very difficult to have a technical defect in a car, somewhere near home or even on a regular driving route. Although problems such as car breakdowns hundreds of miles away from home are inevitable, vacations are considered a time for fun and relaxation, and it can be a little annoying to have this problem while having fun. Often the difference between pleasure and hardship is in taking the right steps to prepare the car for the long road trip.

Before leaving home, there are some simple things to do to protect your vehicle, travel, and loved ones. First, be sure to give your itinerary to a trusted person who is aware of the itinerary in the event of a car breakdown. Then, get your car ready.

Check these out before you start your trip

  • Change the filter and oil
  • Begin the journey with a car that has been cleaned both inside and out. This helps to find or place items better and easier.
  • Try not to leave your luggage on the roof; This is because it creates air friction and slows down the car and you have to accelerate more. If you have to put things on top of the car, cover them tightly and close them tightly.
  • Put a small suitcase in the car.
  • Replace the air filter.
  • Inspect the air filter cabin to prevent foul-smelling air from escaping the exhaust.
  • Cover the front of the car and the headlights with a protective sheet to prevent clogging of the vents and other damage.
  • Bring an extra set of car seat belts.
  • Replace the car spark plug.
  • Make sure you put the wheel wrench and jack in the car.
  • Check spare tires.
  • Carry a fire extinguisher.
  • Put a towel in the car to clean the windshield and other dirt.
  • Carry the car key with you and put it in your wallet or in your personal belongings to use if the keys are left in the car.
  • Adjust sunscreens for the windshield.
  • Make sure you download your favorite podcast and keep your music album updated, or make sure you bring a CD with you if you use a CD to listen to the songs.
  • Take essential cables such as: phone charger cable, AUX cable, USB cables, camera chargers, Go Pro chargers, drone chargers and. With you.
  • If you take photos or videos, don’t forget the memory cards, which are small but important pieces.
  • Take your sunglasses with you.
  • Carry a plastic funnel for water or other liquids. Also have a bucket of water for when emergency cooling of the car is needed.
  • Always fill the fuel tank when it is half full.
  • Make sure your car manual is available.

You should also have a checklist for the items you need in your car survival box, which include the following:

  • A thick chain or tow rope
  • Electric charger wire
  • flashlight
  • Wrenches and screwdrivers in different sizes
  • Bunji ropes
  • Hammer

Before traveling, check out the following items:

  • Bad tires
  • Check tire treads for signs of stretch marks, bumps, or other damage.
  • Check the tire pressure, do not inflate them too much.
  • Check the wiper and its fluid. When it’s raining, you need to keep the wipers healthy, and insect contact with the windshield can make it dirty, so the wiper tank should be full.
  • Cooler
  • If you have been sitting on the radiator for a long time, wash it.
  • Fuses and horns
  • High light and low light
  • Oil, power steering and brake fluid
  • Release heating and air conditioning cables if you are traveling seasonally.
With the spread of the corona virus, you should also add the following:
  • Hand sanitizer
  • single-use glove
  • Mask
  • Wipes

After assembling and preparing the car, we will give tips for effective driving. Although, you are not part of the car, but if you do not drive properly, the condition of the car will not matter much. Do not forget to talk to the driver; Because it makes him interact and stays motivated for hours of driving.

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Recognize your limitations and plan your trip accordingly. If the longest trip you’ve ever had was 400km a day, don’t plan a trip where you have to drive 600km a day. It does not matter if you are able to drive 400 or 1600 km per day, the fact is that as you travel longer, your ability to drive decreases.

Set aside too much speed. A driver who drives slowly and steadily can travel longer distances, enjoy more mountain scenery, and drive more winding roads. In the long run, gasoline consumption will also be saved.

Do not consume energy drinks or coffee during the trip. If you are tired, stop the car on the side of the road and rest. If you are in the middle of the day, take a 30-minute nap, and if it is getting dark, rest in a lodge. Risking security is not worth it when your body tells you it needs to rest.

Learn to avoid fatigue. Driving long distances often means not paying attention to places that have no scenery or excitement. For such occasions, have your favorite podcast, stand-up comedy, audiobook, or favorite song; This can be very rewarding because it helps you to travel long distances a little faster.

Finally, stay away from trucks on open roads. Truck drivers hate having someone behind them. You will be responsible for them when you are behind the truck. Never move behind the truck; Because the truck driver, instead of paying attention to the road, worries about the people behind him, this can lead to disaster.

With proper preparation before the trip and having a good approach during the trip, you can be sure that not only will you have a long trip in good health, but you will also enjoy it. Before traveling, take your car to a car repair shop for a check-up, during which the following items will be checked:

  • Full service filter and standard oil change
  • Spin the tire
  • Check the gearbox
  • Check the coolant
  • Check brake fluid
  • Check electric steering fluid
  • Check the battery fluid
  • Check ventilation and fuel
  • Check belts and hoses
  • Check air, fuel and cabin filters
Plan your trip

“Designate places to relax, refuel, eat, use the bathroom, and spend time in nature,” says Murphy. According to Jeanette Casselano, on long journeys, take a break every two hours or every 160 kilometers. This is very good for the body and makes you more alert while driving.

Do the packing properly

In your car manual, look for GVWR (Gross Weight Rating or Maximum Car Safety Weight) to find out what total weight your car can withstand. Subtract the total weight of the vehicle with its fuel and equipment minus the weight of the passengers to see how much load you can add to your vehicle.

Do not overload the car, as this is detrimental to fuel consumption, tires and safety. “When packing, put very heavy pieces down and toward the center of the car, pick up lighter pieces,” says Murphy. This method reduces the risk of being thrown at a sudden stop and can prevent overturning by keeping the vehicle center of gravity low.

Adjust the seat

Adjust the height of the chair so that the hips are slightly above the knees. “If your car seats are hollow, it’s best to put a cushion or rolled-up towel on it,” says Robert Gillanders, a physiotherapist in Bethesda, Maryland. The steering wheel should be close enough that you can hold it without locking your elbows. The old-fashioned way of putting your hands on the steering wheel at 10 or 2 o’clock is no longer the safest way because of the steering airbags; Instead, try the 9 and 3 o’clock steering mode. When you feel comfortable, adjust the mirrors so that you can see outside without tilting your neck.

Reduce gasoline consumption

Frequent braking and accelerating can reduce fuel storage and annoy passengers, so use a cruise control or cruise control system on highways to control speed. The method of packing the equipment can also affect the distance traveled, especially when you place the equipment on the roof of the car. The roof is suitable for light and bulky items such as sleeping bags and ski equipment. Using a bag, an aerodynamic or a box with a hard frame on the roof can help make gasoline more economical.