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If you’re planning to take a road trip soon, you may be thinking about what you need to bring and pack to make it an epic adventure. But are you also thinking about the steps you need to take to ensure that you stay safe on the road? Road trip emergencies can be stressful enough, but they can be downright dangerous if you or your car are not properly prepared. So before you get behind the wheel, you should read these road trip safety tips. 

Smartphones Can Be Priceless Safety Tools 

Do you have a reliable phone in your car at all times? If your current phone and carrier cause you to drop calls and lose internet connections while you’re on the road, it may be time to make the switch to a more reliable network. Prepaid plans from carriers like Verizon will give you the reliable connection and data needed to stay safe on the road, without any worries about overage charges on your monthly bill. Plus, you can cancel your service at any time, but once you know how useful your phone can be for long road trips, it’s unlikely that you will want to be without it. In addition to using helpful travel apps that can guide you to top local hotels and guide you around potential traffic jams, having a smartphone in your car can also make it easier for emergency services to find you quickly. You can use your GPS to pinpoint your location on more rural stretches of highway, and some smartphones automatically share your location with emergency services when you dial 911—which means your smartphone could be a lifesaver. 

DIY Auto Maintenance Can Save Money & Time 

Getting your car road trip ready is essential for staying safe behind the wheel, but regular maintenance can also be important for preventing accidents on your daily commute. Checking your car’s fluids, tires, and other systems should be part of any responsible car maintenance plan. For many people, getting their car into an auto shop for scheduled maintenance tasks can be a challenge, for either their budgets or their schedules. So if you find yourself skipping out on essential maintenance items due to budget or time constraints, you may want to spend some time familiarizing yourself with a few DIY auto maintenance tips. Sites like DIY Auto make it effortless for drivers to perform their own maintenance. Just select your vehicle from the online drop-down list, and you can pull up tutorials and guides that can take you through the steps needed to complete just about any routine auto repair or maintenance project. You may need to invest in some basic tools before you start taking on these DIY car maintenance projects, but know that you can also borrow more specialized tools from most auto parts retailers like AutoZone. 

Emergency Car Kits Can Be Road Trip Essentials

With your smartphone charged and your car serviced, it’s almost time to hit the open road! Before you start packing and gassing up your ride, however, there’s one more item you should check off of your road trip prep list: an emergency car kit. This can look quite different depending on which season you plan to travel in, but it’s always a good idea to keep bottled water, extra layers, roadside emergency safety equipment, and jumper cables in your trunk. In addition to these emergency supplies, it can also be helpful to keep a first-aid kit in your car. While first-aid supplies can be vital for emergencies and accidents, it can also be helpful to have band-aids and painkillers on hand in case you or another passenger gets a headache or a minor cut. You can buy pre-assembled kits to save some time, or you can assemble your own kit, so that you can include any preferred or essential medications for you or your family. 

You have the power to keep yourself and other drivers safe while on the road. Use your phone responsibly, keep up with regular maintenance, and invest in some emergency supplies, so that you can have some peace of mind during your next driving adventure. 

Photo Credit: Rawpixel

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Here are some tips, this doesn't apply to everyone but should help you expedite your projects.

1. Research: When taking on a new job/project spend some time searching DIYs, tutorials, forums, videos, etc.. to see what you are getting into. I have found that unless the first thing you read is extremely thorough, there are bound to be extras you can learn from other people. Example: 1 person may have awesome photos but forgets torque specs, 1 may have a great video explanation but doesn't tell you all the tools needed.

2. Be prepared: Gather all the tools/parts needed for the task. If you car is not able to drive during the work, find a buddy or have another car available. Ive had to take the bus to get parts and it sucks. If doing dangerous work, its always nice to have someone near by incase something goes wrong.

3. It usually takes longer than you think: Give yourself extra time to complete the task. Something usually always goes wrong and adds extra time, especially if the vehicle is older and not properly maintained.

4. Understand the whole area of work if possible: I cannot tell you how many people Ive known that have done work and think that they are done. Friends that have done suspension work, but then don't get their car realigned. Friends that have done major engine upgrades, but don't tune the vehicle. Friends that do electrical work, but don't disconnect their battery. Take some time to read more about the process and how other people did it as well to give yourself a more broad picture.

5. Get a jack and stands: Please don't use a scissor jack and wood. A jack and stands are very affordable and important, you can even get awesome ones for little more cash. Wheel locks are a nice addition too and help give you some ease of mind when wrenching under you vehicle.

Thats about it, Im not expert but this is what I've learned from my car work either from myself or through my buddies. The rest of the processes are pretty straight forward, hopefully this helps you save some time and money.

-Nick

Here are some tips if you are interested in the new car route. I just passed 10k miles on my 2019 Golf R and I thought I would share the gist of what I did.

1. Come up with a budget: I had recently paid off my previous vehicle, 2013 Ford Focus ST about a year before considering buying a new vehicle. I had been able to handle the previous payment plan of my Focus so I tried to stay in that range of that monthly payment. I also figured out the reasonable trade-in value of the Focus to start evaluating the plan.

2. Research the Market: I then spent time looking at dealers around the area and what they were charging for the Golf R. I also went on VW.com website to see what they charge to make sure I wasn't being charged a huge premium from the dealer. The car was also considered "rare," the dealer told me about 3,350 were sent to the US, ~330 Color spectrum (word of mouth, don't hold me to it). However this didn't seem to matter to me as there were plenty in the Detroit area, Chicago area, and Milwaukee area in which I was considering shopping. The dealer also tried to use this as "leverage" stating "we only get a few of these per year, however there were about 15 in a 30 mile radius of me, so not a problem for the customer.

3. Go out to multiple dealers: Visit and talk to the dealers, get an estimate for what they will take for your current vehicle and the best offer they could do for a new vehicle. I visited at least 3 dealers and had contacted 6 before buying my car. This is all leverage for YOU! As well I would recommend driving the car before purchase. Who knows, it may get all the rave reviews, but not the vehicle for you.

4. Check your insurance: Ive known people who buy the car first without consulting their insurance to get a quote. ITS FREE, and takes less than 5 minutes. I found out that the 2019 Golf R was actually CHEAPER than my 2013 Ford Focus ST! This made the overall consideration of a new car much more appealing. 

5. Warranty: For me this is huge, VW had a 5-6 year warranty on their cars INCLUDING the Golf R which I thought was awesome! Especially when spending this much money I wanted to feel secure in my purchase. VW dealer also had optional extras which was great, I paid an extra $1,300 for extra body/paint protection and wheel protection for 5 years. The roads here in Detroit are gnarly so I wanted extra protection from flying debris and pot holes.

6. Making a Deal will take time: It took over 5 hours, yes 5 HOURS to make a deal on my Golf R. There were many back and forth convos, it almost fell through, and they like to keep you waiting. My suggestion is bring lunch or some snacks lol! 

7. Read Reviews: When spending 10's of thousands of dollars I like to spend plenty of time hearing what people think of the car. I watch countless Youtube reviews, written articles, Build the vehicle on VW's website, and anything else that provides information. Also there are plenty of reviews that provide, 10 best things about... or 10 worst things about.. I love these as it gives me some insight into potential quirks or issues that I may encounter. CarandDriver is a great website too as they rate the vehicle and provide pros and cons.

8. Take your Time: What you want today may not be the same in a weeks, month, or years time. Plan ahead and keep options in mind, if you still feel the same about this large purchase after time has passed then maybe it is the right decision for you.

9. MPG: Money is money, and depending on your route and what you do this can be HUGE. If you have to drive 50+ miles a day for work that can add up quickly. Try to find a vehicle that suites what you want and also can help you save a few shekels.

10. 95% of your Driving: What is your route, where do you drive, what are the roads like, and what do you want? I plan when buying my car for this, what/when/where will I be driving this 95% of the time. If you are hauling dirt/rocks every day, I would buy a truck. If you drive long distances and want to be relaxed, buy a luxury car. If you live in the mountains and have a short curvy drive everyday, get something that handles well. Most importantly WHAT DO YOU WANT and what will make you happy most of your driving experience.

Hope this can help you out! Get out and drive and enjoy your vehicle.

-Nick

This one got me!

Are you planning a road trip this winter? If so, you need to spend a few minutes preparing your car for safety before you hit the highway. Even though we don’t like to think about them, roadside emergencies and accidents can and do happen, often when you’re least expecting them. So, the best that you can do is plan ahead for these potential emergencies by keeping these safety essentials in your car at all times.

Flashlight with Fresh Batteries 

Getting stuck in the dark is never any fun. If you plan on traveling at night or in the early morning, be sure to toss a flashlight into your glove compartment. Before you do, also make sure that your flashlight has fully charged batteries. You can even keep a few extra batteries in your car as well, but make sure you understand how extreme temperatures affect batteries. 

Fully Stocked Emergency Kits

Next on your list of auto safety essentials should be an emergency kit. In fact, having a couple of different kits can keep you safe during roadside emergencies. Make sure that you have a complete first-aid kit in your car, as well as some roadside safety equipment, like a vest and flares. Because making yourself visible to other drivers is important for preventing accidents. 

Extra Bottles of Water 

Dehydration can be a serious risk for drivers who are unlucky enough to get stranded by weather or other emergencies. So, ensure you play it safe by keeping some bottled water in the trunk of your car. If you live in an area that is prone to excessive heat during the summer months, be sure to use BPA-free bottles or keep a stainless-steel bottle in your car. 

Warm Blankets and Layers 

Staying warm can be just as important for drivers as staying hydrated. That’s why savvy drivers keep a few extra layers in their cars at all times. Even in warmer months, temperatures can drop without warning at night or during storms, so having some extra blankets in your car is always a good idea. You can also opt for solar blankets to provide some extra warmth and protection. 

Solar-Powered Phone Charger 

You already know that a car charger can come in handy during both long commutes and long road trips. If you end up in a roadside emergency that leaves your car’s battery drained, however, you will need an alternate way to charge your phone, so that you can call for help. Think about investing in a solar-powered charger to keep in your car so that you can keep your phone powered up and keep yourself protected during emergencies.  

Tools for Checking Tire Condition 

Did you know that faulty tires can lead to accidents? Driving with worn-out or old tires on your car or truck can be extremely dangerous, especially when roads are wet or icy. Driving on bald tires during wet conditions can be a fatal mistake, so be sure to check your tires before you get behind the wheel and replace your tires when needed. If your truck could use some new tires, you can shop and compare the best tires online to maximize your safety and your savings. 

Adequate Car Insurance Coverage 

Stocking your car with a few safety essentials can keep you and your passengers protected on the highway but you need sufficient car insurance to be truly protected. Failing to get the right insurance coverage for your car could leave you in a financial bind after an accident or roadside emergency. So in addition to stocking up on emergency supplies, take some time to review your current auto insurance coverage and then use online tools to find the best deals for your budget. If you’d rather not share personal information many companies do allow for anonymous quotes. 

Roadside emergencies and car accidents can be stressful enough on their own. So, give yourself some peace of mind by keeping some basic safety and survival gear in your car, whether you plan on driving across the country or just driving to work. By doing so, you can save yourself some serious panic and you may even end up saving a life. 

Photo Credit: Rawpixel

Had plenty of moments like this

Life in the midwest

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