Month: June 2019

Most people spend a lot of time in their vehicle. It is said that the average American spends approximately 17,600 minutes in their vehicle each year. That is the equivalent of seven, 40-hour work weeks spent in a vehicle. Some people drive, even more, especially those who love to travel or travel as a part of their job. For this reason, most of us have a place in our car that we keep items we feel we may one day need. Others only keep them in the car if planning a long road trip. Whichever type of person you are, perhaps you should consider these DIY tricks for a road trip.

Emergency Necessities for the Car

Your necessities will depend a lot on your specific needs. If you have children, you may keep small games, toys, or coloring items available for those road trips. It can keep the kids quiet so that you can focus on driving.

If you simply want practical things for your car, you may want to have a flashlight, a screwdriver or a multi-tool, and other things. These items can be useful if your car breaks down. You may also pack a first aid kit for times when you need headache relief, Band-Aids, scissors, or tweezers. People who live where it snows often may keep hand warmers, scrapers, and other things close by.

In short, your vehicle can become your home away from home. But what about other types of emergency situations? Are you covered for them?

The Unexpected Things We Need

What if you are taking a car ride and you are miles away from the nearest exit or town. You or your child feel that sudden urge to answer nature’s call? What if your child is trying to hold it and cant? A sad fact of life is that anything can happen at any moment. Toilet paper could be needed and maybe backup clothes could be required. Stuff happens.

You may want to keep a spare razor in your car in case you realize suddenly that you missed a spot while shaving. Deodorant for those times when you sweat a little too much. A toothbrush or some Listerine for times when you are unable to get home the night before. It could all be useful and many things have dual purposes.

For instance, dryer sheets can be kept in your vehicle as a way to keep your trunk fresh. They can also be used to remove static cling from your favorite skirt or shirt. Listerine for mosquitoes is a potential solution when you have no bug repellent, but it can also freshen your breath after you have pulled an all-nighter. Dental floss can be used as thread, replace shoelaces, or even make a fishing pole using it and a sturdy stick.

What Will You Fill Your Car With?

With all the hours that we spend in our vehicles, it makes sense to have things we may need with us in that space as well. It is stuff that survivalists know and understand. No one needs to be caught off guard. What type of items do you enjoy packing for a long road trip? Or what do you simply keep in your car year-round? We all have a list and our own ideas of what is most important.

Think about the days when you walk toward your vehicle. Are you going somewhere? Is it important that you arrive as quickly as possible? We all go to our vehicle when we want to go somewhere. Then we have the expectation of arriving at our destination in a set amount of time. It may be a trip to the store, your job, or to visit friends and family. We should have that expectation. It is part of why we own a car to drive. However, since things can often go wrong, you may want to consider doing mechanical checks before you drive.

Why Perform Mechanical Checks?

Anyone who has ever broken down on the side of the road can tell you that there is nothing more frustrating. A mechanical failure that leaves you sitting on the roadside or one that makes you late for an important meeting, is never enjoyable. Yet, it can happen to anyone at any time. Belts can break, batteries can die, and other mechanical things can go wrong.
Then, you also have to worry about getting pulled over for something as simple as a missing tag light. Although it is a simple infraction and you will likely drive off with only a warning to get it fixed, who has the time to deal with it? Wouldn’t you be better off to do a “walk around” to make sure that everything is safe and operational so that you can avoid delays?

Areas of Your Car to Check Daily

Driving-related issues are a common problem. This is one of the reasons driving is considered dangerous. It is backed by an unfortunate 1.24 million deaths globally, per year. Not only must you worry about poor drivers and lousy road conditions; you must also worry about your own vehicle if you want to arrive safely at any destination. Therefore, it is recommended that you take a moment to check over your vehicle daily.
Some of the common things you should look at on your vehicle include:

*Lights: All should be in working order.
*Windshield Wipers: Even if you are not expecting rain, you do not need streaks hiding what may be in front of you during sudden showers.
*Seat Belts: By law, you should wear your seatbelt, but it still doesn’t hurt to check it. Make sure when you snatch it, it locks.
*Horn: A horn is a good way for you to communicate with other drivers or chase away stray dogs that may be in the road.
*Tires: Your vehicle’s tires should never appear worn, lumpy, or bare. If you can see threads, you need to replace them before you can drive safely. You should also check the air pressure in them.
*Battery: Most batteries do not have issues, but you still need to check it often. Look for corrosion and check to see what type of charge is on it. A low charge could indicate alternator problems or weak cells. You can easily try a marine battery tester to get a glimpse into your batteries health.

As an added bonus, simply walking around your vehicle can tell you one of the most important things about your vehicle. It can tell you if a child’s toy, bike, wagon, or even the child is behind your vehicle before you start backing out of the driveway.

Longer Trips Require More Effort

If you are going on a long road trip, you may also want to check your brakes, steering wheel mechanism, and other things to ensure that every aspect of your vehicle is safe and dependable. Doing this will not prevent all problems, but it can help.