22 Car Care Tips For Happy Holiday Driving

A Thanksgiving road trip puts your patience and preparation to the test with traffic delays, unexpected detours and occasional roadside emergencies.

How can you keep your holiday plans from going the wrong direction?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has some seasonal advice for drivers traveling during one of the busiest times of the year. It advises drivers to schedule service checks, carry emergency essentials and take safety precautions to avoid accidents, roadside breakdowns or costly repairs that could disrupt their holiday plans.

NHTSA offers the following advice for drivers this holiday season:

Vehicle Checks for a Smooth Thanksgiving Road Trip

1. Battery health. Cold weather puts an extra strain on your battery. Have a certified mechanic confirm if the battery cables and charging system are in good condition. If you drive a hybrid or EV, ensure the battery is fully charged before hitting the highway.
2. Inspect tires. Cold weather causes tire pressure to drop and increases wear. Have your vehicle’s tires reached the tread wear line? Ask your service advisor to check inflation and wear before you leave town.
3. Re-align your wheels. Alignment problems increase tire wear and cause steering problems. Does your car drift to one side of the road? That’s a sign that your vehicle needs an alignment before you travel for Thanksgiving travel. Camber is the vertical angle of your wheels and toe refers to the horizontal angle of your tires. Both must be correctly aligned to keep your steering steady and prevent premature tire wear during a long-distance drive.
4. Replace windshield wiper blades and the rear blade on SUVs. Test your wipers before traveling for the holidays. Hot summer months can dry out the rubber, leaving cracks and streaks that blur your windshield. If your wipers skip, squeak or smear the glass, get a professional to replace them for you.
5. Fill up the wiper reservoir tank. You can expect to use more windshield washing fluid to clear rain-splattered glass during autumn travels. Don’t run out midway through your travels.
6. Check lights and signals. Make sure headlights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working properly. Remove dirt and early frost from lenses to maximize visibility for November's shorter days and longer nights.
7. Pay attention to your brakes. Functional brakes are crucial in stop-and-go traffic and November’s wet road conditions. Do you hear squeaking or grinding sounds when you brake? Schedule an appointment with a service professional to check your vehicle’s pads and rotors before traveling. 
8. Fill up on engine oil and coolant. Ask a service professional to confirm if your oil level, oil quality and coolant mix is suitable for colder temperatures. The correct coolant blend prevents freezing and protects your engine from overheating in a traffic congestion.
9. Heating and ventilation system. Turn on your heater, defroster and cabin vents to allow warm air circulate evenly. This prevents your windshield and windows from fogging on chilly November mornings. If your vents are not blowing properly, have a professional check the thermostat and vents.
10. Inspect the exhaust system. Exhaust leaks can allow harmful fumes to enter the cabin, especially when windows are rolled up in cold weather. Have a certified technician check and repair any damage to keep your vehicle running smoothly on long-distance trips.
11. Engine belts and hoses. Check your belts before traveling for the holidays. Hot summer days may have weakened the rubber and left behind cracks that can go unnoticed. A worn serpentine belt can fail without warning and disable your vehicle in seconds. Have a technician assess the belts and hoses to be sure your vehicle is ready to travel.
12. Prioritize Routine Maintenance. Regular scheduled maintenance is the best way to avoid vehicle breakdowns while on the road. Minor problems that can be identified and fixed during routine inspections help avoid major repair bills later. 

Travel Preparedness for Thanksgiving Holidays

Vehicle maintenance is part of the equation for safe traveling during the holidays. The other part is driver awareness, according to the NHTSA.

1. Limit distractions. Even experienced drivers can get distracted while driving. Set up your GPS and music before hitting the road. If you need to take a call or read a message, pull over safely first. You can also switch your phone to “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode to silence all notifications.
2. Secure children. Make sure car seats are correctly installed and the kids securely buckled to avoid mid-trip adjustments during your holiday drive. Children’s bulky coats can leave space under the harness straps which may loosen in a crash. Remove the coats, fasten the straps and place a blanket over the harness to keep your kids warm without compromising their safety.
3. Plan your route. Use Google and Apple Maps to download your route and use your phone’s GPS to track your location even when out of cell range. When you save the map, bookmark gas stations, rest areas and food shops so you can find them easily if your device loses signal during your holiday travels.
4. Pack a holiday ready bag. Take more than the basic snacks, water, blanket and power banks when you travel. Include spare cash for local vendors that may not accept credit cards and board games to keep the family entertained during delays. Don’t forget to bring along hand sanitizers or wet wipes when you eat meals on the road and printed copies of important addresses in case your phone dies.
5. Fuel prep. Always maintain at least a half tank of gas to avoid running out during slow-moving traffic or when passing through rural areas with no filling stations. This also prevents water condensation in the tank which can affect engine performance in cold temperatures.
6. Keep engine cool. If your engine starts to overheat in traffic, turn off the A/C and run the heater to draw heat from the engine. You can also open the hood slightly during traffic delays or at a rest stop to let hot air escape quickly and help the engine cool down.
7. Be patient. Stress and frustration can cause you to brake or accelerate quickly when in a traffic jam. This strains your transmission, wears out your brake pads and increases fuel consumption. Staying calm behind the wheel prevents accidents and makes it less exhausting for you and passengers.
8. Maintain a safety buffer. Leave extra space between your car and the vehicle ahead to avoid stopping abruptly. Sudden stops gradually wear out your brake pads. Note that a fully loaded vehicle with passengers, food and luggage takes longer to stop. If you are carrying 1,000 pounds or more increase your stopping distance even further to brake safely.
9. Owner’s manual. Keep your manual in the glovebox for quick reference during holiday travels. The guide provides solutions for dashboard warnings, maintenance schedules and troubleshooting tips. Planning to tow a trailer this Thanksgiving? Your manual also provides weight limits and safety towing guidelines to reduce the risk of damage.
10. Stretch at stops. Besides stopping at pit stops to grab snacks, use the restroom or check your vehicle for issues, take a few minutes to stretch your legs and back. Fatigue is a major cause of accidents, particularly during long-distance journeys. A short walk reinvigorates your muscles and improves alertness.

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