Driving home for the holidays is an exciting time of the year, but it can also be a challenging drive. Follow these tips by Marlo Enterprises to ensure you have an enjoyable and safe drive home. 

Do a Quick Maintenance Check

Doing a quick maintenance check before driving home for the holidays can save you from trouble on the road. Ensure you do this a few days before leaving so you can have enough time to address any issues before your departure date. Here are the basics you should check for:

• Engine: When your car is cold, pop the hood and make sure your engine’s hoses aren’t cracked or sliced. Then, while you’re driving, listen for any weird noises coming from your engine or make sure it’s not shaking. Make sure your engine doesn’t overheat by keeping an eye on the heat gauge.
• Oil and Other Fluid Levels: Make sure the fluids like motor oil, brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and windshield washer are at the right level. Remember that all these fluids help your engine work correctly, so make sure you use good quality products.
• Air Filters: Your air filters prevent debris from getting into your engine, make sure it’s clean for it to work correctly.
• Tires: Your tires should be in good condition before going on the road. Make sure they don’t have any cracks or bulges and that the treads aren’t worn. Also, check the air pressure on your tires before leaving.
• Battery: Ensure your battery is holding enough charge. Car batteries should be changed every 3 to 5 years, so if it’s been a while, it’s a good idea to get it checked before your trip.
• Windshield, Lights, and Horn: Lastly, make sure that your windshield, lights, and horn are all in good working order for your safety and the safety of others on the road.

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Maintenance is vital for driving home for the holidays and getting there safely. Give the oil experts at Marlo Enterprises a call at (315) 331-4642 and ask about the best products for your vehicle.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

When driving home for the holidays, it’s essential to keep in mind what the weather will be like for those days. It’s always a good idea to check the weather conditions a few days before you’re scheduled to leave and once again before you hit the road so that you’re prepared. If there’s bad weather scheduled for your departure date, try to make alternative plans to avoid any trouble on the road.

Packing Your Safety Kits

There are two types of safety kits you should pack for your trip. These can be helpful in case of an emergency. According to the National Safety Council, a general emergency kit should have:

• A flashlight with batteries
• A wheel wrench and a jack
• A reflective triangle
• Jumper cables
• A fire extinguisher
• A first aid kit

Now, having a winter safety kit, additional to your general emergency kit, you should pack:

• Blankets
• Ice scrapers
• Flares
• A shovel
• Gloves
• Boots
• A backup phone battery.

As a last safety tip, ensure that you have at least half a tank of gas before leaving for your destination and fuel up if half a tank won’t be enough to get to the next gas station.

The experts at Marlo Enterprises can help you choose the best products for your car, like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. Give them a call today at (315) 331-4642 for more information on their outstanding products or place an order in their online store.

Practice Defensive Driving

Practicing defensive driving is an excellent way to avoid trouble on the road and help you stay safe and keep others on the road safe. Defensive driving is a set of techniques that help drivers identify and react better to challenging situations and prevent crashes or fatal accidents. Some of the techniques are leaving space between you and other vehicles to prevent crashes, sharing the road with other drivers, and constantly scanning the road to identify possible issues.

Avoid Travelling at Peak Times

The last tip for driving home for the holidays is to plan your trip to avoid peak times on the road. It’s known that the day before Thanksgiving is one of the heaviest traffic on the road, as everyone wants to get home to see their family and friends. Planning to avoid these heavy traffic times can ensure you’re not stuck in traffic for hours on end or end up in a car accident. Avoid the rush and try to get to your destination earlier in the week, or leave as early as possible for less traffic on the road.

We hope these tips help you get home safely. If you’re looking for the best products for your engine, call Marlo Enterprises at (315) 331-4642 and let them help you out today!