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The Road Scholar
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| Taking a Road Trip |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:01:27 |
| Rating |
 70 ( -10 -14.28% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
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Description:
Related Stories
On the Road...
If you're looking for a great road trip car, check out one of these:
Mercedes-Benz SL500
Mercedes G500
Lincoln Navigator
Hummer H2
Safety Guide
Everything you need to know about safety, from air bags and child seats to crash test data and driving tips.
Summer Drive Guide
Before you hit the road, check out our guide to safe and sane road trips.
Comments or suggestions about this column? Send an e-mail to: editor@autobytel.com
Autobytel Inc. operates the popular automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, and Autosite.com.
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When my friend Karen called today, she told me that she was headed out in a few days on a month-long road trip that would take her from Southern California north to Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas and then back home. I could hear the excitement in her voice as she told me that it was a trip she had wanted to take for years---ever since a coworker had shown her photos of a similar journey. To hear her talk brought back memories of my cross-country journey last summer with my good friend Sue Mead. I shared with Karen stories of attending an animal swap meet in Nebraska, seeing ruins of Pony Express stations on the original Pony Express Trail and a flat tire in the mountains of northern Nevada. I paused as I thought of Sue and I in a remote rest stop unloading our luggage to get at our spare tire and jack. I asked Karen, "Did you get your car checked out and pack some items for emergencies?"
Karen, one of the more thorough people I know, told me that she had taken her car to her mechanic, explained her intentions and asked him to go over the car. She ended up spending a couple hundred dollars, replacing her brakes as well as changing some hoses and the car's timing belt---a smart move when you consider the conditions she would be driving under (at least 3,000 miles, over large mountain ranges and in hot weather).
The summer is the most popular time for vacations and the experience of travel by car---the road trip---is experiencing a surge in popularity. Whether you pack up the kids for the weekend or head out on a long distance drive on your own, making sure your car is in shape for the journey is the key to preventing minor mishaps from turning into major disasters. Take a look at the following tips courtesy of some experienced long distance drivers and the Automobile Club of Southern California before you venture out.
Road Scholar
Taking a Road Trip
---Tara Baukus Mello
Under The Hood
There are several spots under the hood where problems can be manifesting themselves, but a few simple measures can be taken to prevent mishaps from occurring. First, inspect the belts and hoses for signs of wear or cracks. Squeeze them with your hand (be sure the engine is cold) to see if they feel brittle or excessively soft. If you see any of these indications, replace them.
Take your car to a nearby auto parts store or a department store with an auto service center and ask them to test your battery. A weak or old battery may not perform at it's best, particularly during hot weather. If the test shows your battery is borderline, replace it with a new one before your trip.
Essential Fluids
Next, check the coolant level and make sure you have the correct mixture of water and anti-freeze/coolant in your radiator. If you are not sure, check your owner's manual for guidelines. The radiator fluid should be flushed regularly (again, see your owner's manual), so consider doing this before your trip if it is time.
Check the condition of your engine oil and your transmission fluid. Make sure both are at their proper levels and don't look dirty or smell funny. If you are towing something on your trip, ask your mechanic about switching to heavy-duty motor oil and consult your owner's manual to see if you should switch to a different transmission fluid.
Tire Inspection
Flat tires or ones with a slow leak are one of the most common problems when driving. Start by making sure your tires are properly inflated. Then look for signs of wear and consider replacing them if necessary. Be sure to check that your spare tire is in good condition and properly inflated, and that you know how to operate your jack. Lastly, consider adding a sturdy board (to support your jack if you need to stop on a soft shoulder) and an extension for your lug wrench if you need more leverage to loosen your lug nuts.
If you allow an hour or two to make these checks, you'll find you feel much more secure when you head out on the road. Remember, the beautiful scenic road you are traveling on is not so pretty when you're stuck in the scorching sun waiting for a tow truck.
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About Tara Baukus Mello
For more about Tara, check out SheDrives.com. With over 2500 articles published during the last 12 years, Tara's work regularly appears in over 30 newspapers, magazines and Internet magazines. She is the author of multiple monthly columns and has published nine non-fiction chapter books for children, six of which are part of the Race Car Legends series by Chelsea House Publishing. Automotive accomplishments include retracing the journey of Alice Huyler Ramsey, the first woman to drive across the United States. Tara is a member of both the Motor Press Guild and the International Motor Press Association as well as the Los Angeles Car of the Year jury.
Tara has had an interest in cars since she was a teen. Her passion for automobiles flourished when she and her father built a 1932 Ford pickup street rod, which received national recognition by the National Street Rod Association in 1992. Originally from Massachusetts, Tara graduated cum laude from Harvard University before moving to the West Coast. She currently parks her '32 Ford in the garage of her Southern California home, which she shares with her husband Jeff.
Text and photos © Copyright 2000, Tara Baukus Mello. |
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