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The busiest time of the year is once again here, with many families traveling for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and eventually New Years. Whether you are traveling a short distance or long distance for the holidays, it is essential to keep you and your loved ones’ safety in mind. With horrible traffic jams, reckless drivers, and occasional bad weather sprinkled in there, things can get hectic.
To combat these road conditions, we recommend bringing your vehicle to Cottman of Waldorf for some freshening up. What’s worse than sitting in traffic? Being the cause of the traffic jam because of a breakdown, of course! Below are some key maintenance items you should take care of this season:
- Oil Change
- Battery Test
- Tire Pressure Check
- Tire Rotations
- Windshield Wiper Replacement
- Heater and Defrosters Run
- … and so many more!
Besides some seasonal maintenance, make sure you follow these driving tips to reach your parent’s house or grandparent’s house safely.
- Check the weather forecast - The weather can be unpredictable this time of year, as it can rain and snow one day and be sunny the next. Continue to check up until the departure day. You should plan ahead if there inclement weather,
- Avoid speeding - Jams are expected, so speeding will do you no good unless you want to slam on the brakes. You should follow the speed limit and stay in traffic. Make sure you leave a considerable amount of room between the front of your car and the vehicle ahead of you.
- Pack an emergency car kit - Accidents and breakdowns always come as a surprise. While you can’t predict them, you can certainly have a backup plan for the unexpected. We recommend bringing along a spare tire kit, jumper cables, flashlight, tools, extra car fluids, and any other item that can assist you in case your vehicle breaks down.
- Stay alert - Make sure you get a good night’s rest before you hit the road for a long drive as you will need to be alert and focused.
- Keep distractions away - Distracted driving is already the leading cause of traffic fatalities. Mix that in with holiday travel, and it becomes a nightmare. That said, keep your phone away and maintain your focus on the road. If you need to respond to a phone call or text, ask a fellow passenger to assist you. You can always pull over too!