Now that the summer travel season has begun, a lot of people will be packing up their cars and heading out on road trips. And while there are a lot of things that can make such trips stressful, including traffic and screaming kids, one thing that shouldn’t be an issue is a person’s vehicle, but according to AAA, that’s all too often the case.
AAA reports that they expect to rescue more than seven million drivers this summer, and there’s no doubt such unplanned breakdowns could put a big damper on any fun you’re planning to have. Some problems are easy fixes, like flat tires or dead batteries, but there are a few steps you can take to minimize the possibility of it happening to you.
AAA suggests taking the following steps before packing up the kids and spouse and heading out on the road:
- Get your car checked – It’s always better safe than sorry, so before you take a road trip, get an oil change, and check your battery and tires. Plus, continue to check your tire pressure while traveling.
- Pack an emergency kit – No one wants to get caught helpless so make sure you have a flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables and a fully inflated spare tire, as well as a jack or tire wrench. All of those things may help you solve the problem without ever having to calling for assistance.
- Always bring an extra car key – Avoid getting locked out of your vehicle by bringing an extra key and keeping it in a pocket or purse that is always with you when you leave your vehicle. Also, certain cars have OnStar available which can help you unlock your car remotely if you get locked out.
Source: CBS News