“Driving vacations and common sense safety tips go hand in hand.” That’s the reason why if you want your whole family to be safe without killing the fun in the road trip, you must heed these simple road safety tips:

Do you need that?

Instead of picking up things randomly, making a short list of the most important things you need while on the journey is always a better option.

Check your tire and your tire pressure

Time and again, many family road trips have turned into a not-so-memorable experience because of busted tires. So to make sure such thing won’t bother you, check your tires if they have the right amount of pressure.

Check your car’s fluids and wiper blades

Regular oil change and maintenance of your car’s wiper blades can make the difference in the long run. Doing these things can help you avoid potential hassles while on your way to a vacation.

Prepare for roadside emergencies

Because anything could happen while the whole family is on the road, you must properly equip yourself to ensure that you won’t be left helpless. Make a kit that includes a flashlight, flares and first-aid basics. This could help you in certain situations like sudden repairs and small accidents.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. And believe it or not, this also applies to your vehicle. So before these problems could stop your ride during a family road trip or daily commute, what you need to do is to fix them now before they materialize. Here are some tips to help you get on with it:

1. Identify a quality repair shop and use that facility for all repairs and maintenance done to your vehicle. This way, you’re developing a good working relationship with them and they get to know your car.

2. Have your car serviced regularly based on recommended maintenance schedule. While some needs a professional to get the job done, others can be easily done by you.

• Engine Air Filter. Every six months or 7,500 miles is the ideal interval to check your air filter. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it’s still clean enough to work.

• Battery. Ensure battery cables if they’re securely attached to the terminals. Clean the terminals if signs of corrosion are present.

• Tire Pressure. Test and adjust tire pressures at least once a month including the spare. The recommended pressure can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s doorjamb.

• Tire Tread. Inspect the tread depth by inserting a quarter upside down into a tire groove with Washington’s head facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head.

• Windshield Washer Fluid. See the windshield washer fluid reservoir monthly and test the washer spray nozzles for proper operation and aim.

• Windshield Wiper Blades. Every oil change or whenever they fail to wipe the glass clean in a single swipe, you need to check your wiper blades. The inserts usually lasts from six to 12 months.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

If you’re a busy person and you can’t just let go of your cellular phone, then you’re probably one of the many that gave in to the urge of texting while driving. Well, this activity has become a leading cause of deaths and accidents across the United States. And to solve this, more than 25 states have implemented a law banning drivers from texting while behind the steering wheel. Though this problem may have been solved, the truth is that it’s just one of the many that keeps a driver distracted. So to cut down such distractions, we offer you a set of tips that can keep you and your family safe while on the road.

Be Prepared Before You Start Your Car.

If you already did the things like makeup, eat, or program your GPS before hitting the road, you’ll be able to reduce your distractions. It also helps if you can find the things that you need so you won’t feel the need to search for it once your behind the steering wheel.

Go Hands Free

Okay, so there are calls you just can’t ignore. Now, for you to answer such calls while in the car, you need to invest on gadgets that allow you to answer your cell phone without taking your hands off the wheel. This way, it’s like your hitting two birds with one stone.

Take a Break

It won’t hurt you to pull over at the safe side of the road and answer your call if you don’t have the devices that allow you to go hands free. It’s a simple and yet effective way to keep you from being distracted while driving.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Though making sure that your RV’s doors are always locked is a good thing, sadly, it’s not enough to make sure that it’s well cared for. Here are some tips to you can follow so it can be in good shape all year long:

Remove temptation. To put it in simpler terms, bad elements won’t be able to plan to steal something that they don’t see often. So make it a habit to put your RV in the garage and out of sight.

Lock Up. When camping with the family, be sure to lock the doors and windows before leaving for the night. Turning the radio and a small light on is also a good idea for a decoy.

Store it indoors. Though it’s almost the same as the first tip, this time it’s for another reason. Always keeping your RV in an enclosed are helps in preventing outside elements from inflicting any kind of damage to it.

Maintain your insurance year-round. Insurance can save you lots of worries when driving. And to make it even better, get your RV insured all year long.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Taking care of your tires is one of the most basic ways to save money and ensure driving safety at the same time. So here are four quick ways you need to know in tire maintenance:

1. Rotate Tires

Regular rotation of tires allows them to wear out evenly. That way you can minimize noise as well as replace them in sets of four which is economical.
Irregular tread wear occurs fastest when the tire is at full tread depth, so the first rotation is crucial.

2. Check Tire Pressure

Having the right pressure in your tires can reduce the risk of irregular wear, poor handling and reduced fuel economy. You can find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle in the door edge, door post, glove box door, inside the trunk lid, or in the owner’s manual.

3. Check Tread Depth

The tread maximizes the contact between the tires and the pavement. That said worn or bald tires can be very dangerous especially in wet conditions. You can measure the depth of your treads with the use of “wear bars.”

4. Don’t Overload Your Vehicle

The heavier the vehicle gets, the more wear it can cause your tires. So refrain from putting extra weight to your ride which also includes baggage carriers and trailer weight.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Teenagers are enthusiastic to say the least when it comes to driving. However, before this excitement can lead to unwanted scenarios, parents can help them prepare for what’s ahead on the road. Here are some helpful tips you can impart to your teenagers:

• Taking the time to know your own vehicle is a good way to start. Whether it’s brand new or an old one, knowing its strengths and weaknesses is a plus in driving.
• Show them the basics. Teach your teenager on how to check the oil, transmission and steering fluids, and point out where the engine, battery, air filter and radiator are located, as well as the reservoirs to fill for the radiator and windshield washer.
• Exterior lights are indispensable. If you want to ensure safety while driving, make sure that each lighting assembly is in good working condition
• In case of emergencies, allowing your teenager to know where the registration and insurance cards are kept is also a must.

Lastly, provide the basic tools for roadside emergencies. You’ll never know what can happen on the road. That’s why it’s a good thing that there are kits inside the vehicle that can aid your teenager when unwanted things happen.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

According to Kidsandcars.org, a child safety advocacy group, 474 children in the United States have been killed by back-over accidents in the last four years. These deaths can be easily avoided by equipping the vehicle with a back-up sensor.

A back-up sensor is small investment that can help a lot in protecting both your car and everyone around you. Though some new cars come with such devices, the market is filled with products like this that can be easily installed. A small motion detector system is usually mounted above the rear license plate with a connection to the audio alarm placed inside your car. This system will beep and a green LED lights up when an object is within 5 feet of your vehicle. And as you get nearer to this object, the speed of the beeping sound will increase and the additional LED lights will light up. But aside from safety, this sensor can also save you a lot of money from repairs needed from accidents.

In addition to back up sensors, one can also learn to be alert and make use of the vehicle’s mirrors while driving. Mirrors are often bumped from alignment in tight garages or even while a car is out on the street. This can make a big difference in being able to see the area around your ride. Also, checking blind spots before getting into a vehicle and before making any sudden movements is always a good idea

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Spring and summer are the seasons for outdoor adventures. And along with such adventures is the long drive on the road. So to get your vehicle up and ready for this, here are some car care tips for the family.

“Preventative maintenance is the key to maintaining optimum performance for your vehicle,” said Pietro Gorlier, president and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand.

Mopar recommends six ways in ensuring the readiness of vehicles in the road.

Check Tires. Inspecting if all the tires, including the spare, have the right amount of pressure is important. Also, checking if tread and sidewall areas are already worn-out is a must.

Check Fluid Levels. Engine oil should be changed regularly at recommended intervals. It helps a lot in ensuring smoother operation of the vehicle.

Check Engine Belts and Hoses. Serious engine damage can be caused by worn-out belts or hoses. That’s why to prevent this, replacing them with quality products is necessary.

Change Air Filter. Engine needs clean air to shell out good performance and thus, it’s crucial to have a properly working air filter installed.

Check Battery. Before combustion can power your engine, this component needs to be in good shape first. Without this, there’s no chance that your vehicle is going to run.

Check Wiper Blades. You never know when rain might fall. So to ensure visibility, wiper blades must be kept in good working condition.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Overlooking small details like your tire’s air pressure can cause bigger problems. One of these problems can be a tire blowout. And that’s something you want to avoid especially while on a family road trip. And for that, here are some tips to guide you:

1. Don’t wait to inflate.

Fuel economy decreases when the tire has low pressure. That’s why it’s very important to keep each tire in accurate pressure. The specific inflation pressure number can be seen on the vehicle placard located on the driver’s side doorpost, glove box door, fuel door or in the owner’s manual.

2. Lighten your load.

The heavier the vehicle’s load, the greater the wind drags. This may result to reduction in the vehicle’s fuel economy.

3. Rotate before rollin’.

It’s important to keep the uniformity in tire wear. That’s why regular rotation must always be done to improve the road performance of tires. In fact, tires rotated every 6,000−8,000 miles have longer lifespan.

4. Get it straight.

Proper alignment provides excellent handling and ride comfort. It also makes the tires wear evenly.

5. Bald isn’t always beautiful.

Lack of tread can affect the tire’s performance. It would lose its ability to grip the road which can result to road accidents. That’s why to avoid this, replacing tires as soon as possible is vital.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Tailgating is one of the problems that you as a driver will have to deal with at one time or another. The question is, how you one deal with this situation appropriately? Do you just speed up until the tailgater bites your dust?

The most important thing that you should keep in mind is your safety and that of your passengers. Don’t think about getting even with whoever is tailgating you.  To ensure your safety here are things that you should do.

1. Choose Your Own Rearguard

The first important idea is that you choose the guy behind to follow you. Advanced driving teaches us that we are in control of all aspects of the traffic and the spaces around us. Sometimes we might be driving along and our problem tailgater simply catches up. In other situations we have chosen to take a position in front of the tailgater without noticing he’s not leaving good gaps. The first trick is to only take a position in front of vehicles leaving good gaps. Never overtake or change lane into a small gap. If you overtake or change lane into proper sized gaps you’ve already noticed that the new vehicle behind is leaving proper gaps and will probably leave a good gap behind you. This simple strategy will ensure that the tailgaters are behind other vehicles most of the time.

On a long journey you might find that a particular car is following you at a constant and safe distance. Call him your rearguard. Do what you can to ensure that the trusted car remains behind you. For example once you have a good rearguard you might decide not to overtake, or you might decide to stop at an amber light although you could have reasonably driven on. Look after your rearguard, and he’ll look after you!

2. Change Lane to the Left to Let Him Pass

If you are being tailgated on a motorway, change lane to the left to let him past as soon as possible. You might add a couple of seconds to your journey, but who cares? You might even be able to join the original lane behind the tailgater, and allow his aggressive tactics to clear a path that you can use to get there more quickly. If you do this bear in mind that you’ll need to leave an extra gap to compensate for the gap he isn’t leaving. But see how quickly and easily we got rid of him?

3. Slow Down to Encourage the Tailgater to Overtake

You do not need the twerp on your back bumper. You need a nice safe space all round your vehicle. On an A road if there’s a straight with no oncoming traffic simply slow and indicate left. Consider a hand signal. He’ll get the message and overtake. If he doesn’t and it’s still clear continue to slow gently until he does get the message. Keep an eye on the traffic behind him. If it’s night in these circumstances be sure to use your main beam headlights so he can see the road ahead of you for his passing manoeuvre.

4. Overtake to Get Away

On an A road, if a tailgater catches you up in a stream of traffic you might choose to overtake to get away. I frequently do. Tailgaters don’t usually find it very easy to overtake and he might well get stuck behind the vehicle you overtook. If he does overtake you might overtake again, but beware of allowing this to become a pattern. The objective is to ensure a safe space all round your car. If a strategy isn’t working, then abandon it and do something else.

5. Accelerate to Get Away

On a motorway (especially) you might find someone tailgates you while you are overtaking a stream in lane 1 or lane 2. The cars on the left (all driving too close as usual) prevent you from moving left so you accelerate to increase the gap behind. This works brilliantly if your vehicle is more powerful than the tailgater’s vehicle. Do not get carried away and accelerate to a speed which isn’t safe! Accelerating to get away tends to be a temporary solution, because he will probably catch up again. Be ready to pull left and allow him to pass easily if he does.

6. Leave a Double Gap in Front and Drive for Him

Traffic is dense. You can’t stop, pull left or turn off for a while (no lay-bys, junctions etc.). In this case double the gap in front and “drive for him”. You were originally leaving a safe two second gap. While the tailgater is stuck behind you leave a four second gap. Now, if something goes wrong in front you can brake very gently for two seconds to warn the twerp behind of the danger. You “pass back” your spare two seconds to the tailgater. Two vehicles with a four second gap in front is almost as good as two vehicles who both have two second gaps.

7. Stop, Turn off or Go Around a Roundabout

If all the above has failed to dislodge a persistent tailgater you must stop or turn off at the next opportunity. Another option is to go around a roundabout a whole extra turn. It might cost you a few seconds. It might save a big repair bill if the tailgater wasn’t insured or didn’t stop after running into the back of you. It might even save your neck.