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Safety Tips for Driving Home for the Holidays

Are you driving home for the holidays? In this post by Olson Marketing in Lincoln, NE, we’ll give you some tips on doing so safely and help you enjoy your time on the road.

Pack a Winter Emergency Kit

The first tip for driving home for the holidays is to pack a winter emergency kit for your car. An emergency kit should have items to keep you warm, light sources, tools for minor repairs, and a first aid kit, among other things. Let’s break them down:

To keep you warm: Pack enough blankets for everyone in the car, as well as some warm clothes and a waterproof coat in case you need to walk in wet weather. Another good item to pack is non-electric hand warmers.
For light: Pack LED flashlights, candles, and spare batteries as these can come in handy if your car breaks down and it’s dark out. Candles are great as they can also be used as a heat source.
For repairs: Make sure your emergency kit has tools like a tire jack and lug wrench in case of a flat tire.
To get unstuck: Sand, salt, or cat litter, and a shovel can help you if you’re stuck in the snow.
For injuries: Finally, pack a first aid kit with essentials like alcohol wipes, antiseptic spray, and bandages.

Store these supplies in your car and have them somewhere handy in case you need them.

Driving home for the holidays can be tricky but taking care of your vehicle is step one in getting there safely. If you’re wondering what products are best for your car, call the oil experts at Olson Marketing at (402) 310-6414, and they’ll help you out in no time.

Do Some Maintenance Before Leaving

A few days before you drive home for the holidays, ensure you do a quick maintenance check. This can save you from delays or trouble on the road and ensure your drive is hitch-free. Here are some of the essentials you should check:

Oil and other fluids: As a part of your regular maintenance routine, you should check the levels and cleanliness of your vehicle’s fluids. These fluids are your motor oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield fluid.
Air filters: Ensure your air filters are clean so they can capture debris and dust from the road and ensure a better airflow into your vehicle’s engine.
Tires: Inspect your tires for any bulges, cracks, or foreign objects and ensure they’re at the correct air pressure before leaving.
Battery: Your battery should be holding enough charge for your trip. If it’s not, it might be time to change it.
Lights and horn: Lastly, your lights and horn are essential safety features for your car. Do a quick light and horn check before leaving to ensure they’re in good shape.

Let the experts at Olson Marketing help you choose the best products for your vehicle, like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. Call them today at (402) 310-6414 for more information on their excellent products or place an order in their online store.

Avoid Peak Travel Times

Another tip for your drive home is to avoid peak travel times on the road. This season is one of the most heavy-traffic ones of the year because everyone wants to go home and see friends and family. Plan on leaving before peak traffic times so that you’re not stuck in traffic for hours. Congested highways also tend to see much more traffic accidents, so this is another excellent reason to try and avoid them.

Check the Weather and Road Conditions

Lastly, to avoid delays on the road, or complicated driving conditions, check the weather and road conditions before leaving. Heavy snowfall or rain can make visibility complicated when driving, and ice on the road is hazardous, so it’s essential that you’re informed and prepared for a safe trip. Likewise, checking on road conditions like traffic or accidents before leaving can help you decide if you’re ready to go or if leaving later would be best. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan if the conditions aren’t up for driving as it’s always better to get to your destination later than planned than not at all.