Getting ready for a road trip to visit the family during the holidays? Unfortunately, you’re not alone — far from it.
This year, a record number of cars will hit the highways: According to AAA, 109.5 million Americans will drive at least 50 miles between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, up 2.2 percent from last year and the highest number ever.
While there’s nothing we can do to shoo away your fellow travelers or improve the weather, here are some tips to maximize your comfort and minimize the hiccups.
Prepare your car
Make sure you’ve got emergency essentials. That includes water, a phone charger and a power bank, a flashlight, extra blankets and coats, a first aid kit, an ice scraper and snow brush, a small shovel, and a reflective emergency triangle. And if you’re traveling with a furry friend, don’t forget pet food. To guard against sudden flats and underinflated spare tires, consider investing in a portable air pump.
If your wiper blades are juddering, it’s time to replace them — and you can generally do it yourself. Auto parts stores have charts that show you the right size blades to buy; they usually slide right on and off.
Check your tires
There’s a reason people say “where the rubber meets the road.” Tires with good tread can make all the difference in the rain, snow or ice.
To check tread depth, use a tire gauge or just stick a quarter in one of the treads. If you can see the entire top of George Washington’s head, you need a new tire.
Inflate your tires to the pressure listed on a label on one of the vehicle’s door jambs. Don’t use the number printed on the tire wall; that’s the maximum pressure allowed, not the optimal one. Also, check the pressure when the tire is cold for the most accurate reading.
Choose the right fuel
Some carmakers suggest you fill up with premium fuel, but do you have to? Probably not. If your owner’s manual says premium fuel is “required,” use it. If it says premium fuel is “recommended,” you can safely skip it and save some money.
“We tested two vehicles using a regular grade of fuel, but for which premium fuel was recommended, and we saw very little difference in performance and economy,” said Jon Linkov, Consumer Reports’ deputy auto editor.
If you find yourself running low on fuel and can’t find your preferred gas station, any old brand — even a flaky-sounding one — will do, because all stations must sell fuel with the octane rating they’re claiming.
Extend the range of your E.V.
Most electric vehicles don’t have the 400-plus-mile range that gas-powered vehicles often do. To minimize recharging stops, precondition your E.V. before you leave.
Usually accomplished using a smartphone app, preconditioning, or warming up the car’s battery while still connected to a power source, increases range and provides a smoother ride. If you’re en route and need some juice, your vehicle will automatically set the battery to the ideal charging temperature if your use your vehicle’s navigation system to find a commercial charging station.
In cold weather, heating the vehicle’s cabin while still plugged in avoids draining the battery. Doing this is important, because when the exterior temperature falls to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, battery range can drop by 40 percent, said David Bennett, senior automotive manager for AAA.
Other ways to extend range: Use the heated seats and steering wheel rather than the interior heating system. Many E.V.s also offer an eco mode that can reduce climate control power, slow down acceleration and use regenerative braking features more frequently.
If you don’t know the location of the nearest charging stations, apps can help you find one. PlugShare includes stations owned by a wide range of companies, showing available bays and letting you pay directly through the app at participating locations.
Other useful apps include ChargePoint (which also shows multiple charging brands), Electrify America and the one offered by Tesla.
Compare map and weather apps
If you’re driving in an area where cellular coverage is spotty, you might want to consider alternate navigation and weather apps that work well offline. Some options include HERE WeGo, Magic Earth, Map Factor and Sygic GPS. If you’re using Google Maps, you can also download offline maps to use in any area where you think you might not have cell coverage.
Whichever mapping app you choose, it’s wise to compare routes among a few. On a recent road trip, a major traffic accident didn’t appear on Google Maps. By switching to Waze and following its alternative route, I saved an hour’s travel time.
If you may be driving into severe weather, consider apps like AccuWeather, known for its detailed forecasts and weather alerts; MyRadar for real-time radar information; and Weather Underground for hyperlocal conditions through participating personal weather stations. And make sure to enable your phone’s emergency notifications.
For help, try looking up
Apple and some Android makers, including Google and Samsung, now offer the ability to connect with emergency services via satellite using certain phone models. Apple’s and Google’s are carrier-independent. Other Android users should check with their cellular provider to see if it supports the technology.
If you’re out of cellphone range, the satellite connection will allow you to summon assistance, but it is not for general texting or voice calls.
If you need to call or text, pull over first. “Your one job is to get from point A to point B,” Mr. Bennett said. “Focus on the task at hand and put your phone down.”
The post Driving for the Holidays? How to Make Your Road Trip Safe. appeared first on New York Times.
