TOLEDO, Ohio — If you're among the more than 70 million people expected to travel by car for Thanksgiving, here are some tips to stay prepared when making long-distance journeys.
Vehicles being the sometimes fickle things they are, AAA recommended in a press release that you check your vehicle's vitals and pack extra supplies ahead of your travels, unless recreating "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is on your holiday wish list. Sans, of course, Steve Martin.
Pre-travel checks
- Battery - Have your battery tested annually once it is reaches three years of age.
- Tires - Check your tire pressure before you drive, and ensure your tread is deep enough; inadequate tread can prove especially dangerous during inclement weather conditions. Additionally, cold temperatures can impact the amount of air in your tires.
- Brakes - Have your brakes checked every 30,000 miles to minimize risk of a crash.
- Belts and hoses - Have the innards of your vehicle inspected as well, as a malfunction could leave you stranded.
- Oil change and fluids - Check your vehicle's manual to see how frequently you should be getting an oil change. You should also check your vehicle's fluid levels, such as oil, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid, among others.
- Windshield wiper blades - If you have a faulty windshield wiper (or two), make sure to replace them. These will be invaluable assets in winter weather.
Prepping your vehicle
- Fluids - Even if your vehicle's fluids are adequate, pack extra in your vehicle. Of special importance is antifreeze and extra windshield washer fluid. A major cold spell is expected to arrive just in time for Thanksgiving.
- Emergency kit - Keep a kit in your car that provides necessities in the event you do get stranded or your vehicle malfunctions. This should include first-aid supplies, chargers, jumper cables, tire pressure gauge and adjustable wrench and emergency flares or reflectors. You should also bring extra drinking water, snacks and food for pets and travelers. Blankets during cold weather are also important.
The WTOL 11 Weather Team is forecasting a chilly - if not downright cold - weather pattern beginning Wednesday. A low-pressure system is also expected to bring rain and snow to parts of the Midwest, including parts of northwest Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
Stay with WTOL 11 on air and online for the latest traffic and weather updates. Stay safe!
