Fourth of July Travel: Are you Road Trip Ready?
The Independence Day holiday travel period officially begins today, with nearly 41 million travelers planning to take a trip. It’s therefore pretty much guaranteed that the roads in particular will be busier than normal. Some people will take their own car, whereas others may decide to lease a vehicle from a car dealership like Conklin Buick. Want a rundown of the key travel facts and figures? Here are highlights for the holiday travel forecast:
-Nearly 41 million Americans will be taking a Fourth of July trip this year, up 1.9% over last year.
-Most will travel by car, with 34.8 million motorists taking a road trip, the most since 2007.
-Air travel is also up this year with 3.1 million people expected to fly to their holiday destination, the highest volume since 2004.
With most West Virginia travelers planning a road trip, motorists are urged to make sure their vehicles are road trip ready. There are many travelers looking for alternative ways of traveling during their vacation, for example, through bus charter companies similar to United Coachline – click to view listing. However, others prefer the use of their own vehicles. Last year, the AAA Roadside Rescue Team came to the aid of several hundred West Virginia drivers during the five-day Independence Day holiday period. Many of the calls were related to dead batteries and flat tires, but technicians also helped dozens of people who were locked out of their vehicles. Lockouts can occur while loading and unloading vehicles whether traveling to the local pool or on a family summer vacation. Some may look to rent a car whilst looking at https://www.carsiceland.com/post/best-things-do-in-iceland and deciding how to get around, to avoid these kinds of issues.
Top Tips to get your vehicle ready for a road trip
-Tire Blowout
Long drives in the summer are tough on tires. Road debris, improper inflation and worn tread all can contribute to a blowout.
What to do: If you have a blowout, don’t slam on the brakes. Keep a firm grip on the wheel, slow down and pull over at the first safe opportunity.
How to prevent it: Inspect your tires at least once a month for tread depth, proper inflation and damage from road debris.
-Overheating
If your coolant is low or contaminated, the radiator can’t do its job and the engine can overheat.
What to do: Pull over, pop the hood and turn off the A/C and other accessories as the engine idles. Contact AAA or if you’re not with the AAA, contact a towing service Lynchburg for a tow to a repair facility. Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot.
How to prevent it: Take your vehicle to a repair facility if coolant is low or contaminated.
-Dead Battery
Summer heat strains a car’s battery and can hasten its failure.
What to do: Get a jump-start and have the battery checked by a qualified technician. Or contact AAA’s Mobile Battery Service (available in most metropolitan areas) and we will come to you. If you need a new battery, you can buy one and have it installed on the spot.
How to prevent it: Have your battery and electrical system tested before taking a trip.
-Low Engine Oil
Your engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, and if it runs low or is too dirty, it can cause serious (and expensive) damage to the engine. Typically, a dashboard warning light will illuminate when a problem arises but before any damage is done.
What to do: If the warning light comes on, contact AAA to tow your vehicle to a repair facility immediately to have it checked. The longer you drive with a problem, the greater you risk serious engine damage.
How to prevent it: Before leaving on your trip, check the oil for proper levels and any sediment.
