Holiday Road Trip Tips

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Holiday Road Trip Tips

Brought to you by Akins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Even in uncertain times, many people will be making some sort of drive to see their family this holiday season, whether it be right down the street, or many miles away one thing is for sure, you want to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape to get you from your house to your family and friends house! For those looking to travel a little bit further, there are some things you can do to make the trip go off without a hitch. Keep reading below to hear some of the tips our team at Akins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has for you to prepare for your holiday road trip, then bring your car into our service center and get a clean bill of health for your vehicle before you take off!

Find Your Route First!

With all of the construction, conflicting routes, and back roads to avoid tolls, there are many different travel routes to choose from, and it can be confusing to decide which route is the fastest. Luckily, in today's day and age, there is a lot of technology to help out with that. Various navigational applications can help you figure out which route has less traffic, which route has the least amount to no construction, and which route is going to cost the least in terms of tolls! If you plan this out in advance, it will be easier to just get in your car and go, no need to stress over which route to take, and no fighting with your co-pilot!

Check the Weather Before You Hit the Road

The weather can be unpredictable especially at this time of year. Snow can cause roads to freeze over and can make certain paths and roads difficult to get across, especially if your tires aren't meant to handle all four-season weather. Visibility is also affected by rain and snow, so you'll want to make sure to check the weather across your entire route before heading out, in order to plan which day, and which time will be optimal for safe driving! The easiest way to do that is by going on your smart device if you have one, and opening up the weather map! You can find all the info you need there.

Bring Along Extras

You never know when you're going to need extras, whether it comes to phone chargers, clothing layers, snacks, drinks, and entertainment. An extra charging cord is always helpful, you always want to make sure you are able to contact someone in case of emergency, so running out of power is never a problem. If you are traveling with kids, it's easy for them to get fussy without extra snacks, especially on a longer trip. Pack extra food and drinks for the kids to keep them distracted along the way, and to keep their stomachs satisfied to avoid crankiness. Some ways to keep entertained on a road trip are magazines, iPads or tablets, and books! Make sure you have a large variety of games and books to keep the whole family entertained and distracted so you don't get the dreaded question "are we there yet?"

Get Your Vehicle Checked

The top priority when going on a long road trip is to make sure your vehicle is up to the challenge! Some things to keep in mind before heading out for a holiday road trip this winter are your tires, oil changes, windshield wipers, and heating! If your tires are balding, and the tread is wearing down, you'll want to get tires with better traction before heading out to avoid flat or bad traction along the way. If your oil is low or hasn't been changed recently, it might be a good idea to change it out, that way you can make sure your engine is running in tip-top shape! For maximum visibility in all conditions, you'll want to make sure your windshield wipers aren't cracked, or broken and leaving streaks behind on your windshield.

Get your Car Serviced at Akins CDJR

We want to make sure your car is ready to go on your family trip this holiday season! That's why we have our expert service technicians standing by to make sure your car is running as it should! Safety is the number one priority when leaving for the holidays, so stop into Akins CDJR before you head out, and let us give your car a quick tune-up! Chances are everything is running smoothly, but if you need a repair, whether big or small, our techs are here to help!