Whether you’re making your regular commute to work or finally going on that long-awaited road trip, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. Even the most cautious driver will eventually experience a roadside emergency. However, with a little bit of planning, you can be ready for anything.
Pack an Emergency Kit
You should always keep a well-stocked emergency kit in your car. Necessary supplies include Band-Aids, antiseptic, cotton balls, and tweezers. Road flares, a flashlight, and extra batteries will also come in handy. In addition, always keep a few bottles of water on hand. If you’re traveling with kids, you might want to include snacks and diapers. When traveling with pets, be sure to bring their treats, food, and water bowls.
In warmer weather, keep a battery-operated fan in the car for improved ventilation. Likely to drive during colder months? Then, you’ll want to have a blanket and extra clothing. If it snows where you live, be sure to pack an ice scraper and cat litter. Again, these are the basics. You can add anything you want to your emergency kit according to your needs.
Have a Tire Changing Kit
One of the most common roadside emergencies is a flat tire, so you want to make sure you have everything you need to change a tire. First off, see to it that your spare tire is in good condition. You’ll also need to pack a carjack, lug wrench, and wheel wedges. Reflective triangles will come in handy if you’re on the side of a busy road. Although work gloves aren’t essential, you’ll appreciate having a pair with you if you have to change a tire.
Paper Maps
While you rely on your phone for everything, including navigation, you’ll always want to keep a paper map in the glove box. No matter how reliable your signal is, there will be instances where you’ll be out of range. The same goes for your vehicle’s infotainment system: it can lose its signal at any time for various reasons. One thing that will never fail you, however, is a good old-fashioned paper map.
If you’re worried that your map reading skills aren’t up to snuff, you can study the map ahead of your trip. And if you’re traveling to a specific destination, you can also print out step-by-step instructions from websites like Mapquest or Google Maps, just to be on the safe side.
Inspect Your Vehicle
Granted, you can’t prevent every emergency. But inspecting your vehicle ahead of a trip can go a long way in helping you stay safe. Make sure your tires are in good condition and replace them if they’re especially worn. Your windshield wipers should also be in tip-top shape. Remember to also stock up on windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, and engine coolant. Pack spare bottles of these fluids, just in case. You’ll also want to confirm your brakes, taillights, and headlights are in good working order.
These are just some of the steps you can take to prepare for unexpected roadside emergencies. By following these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy the ride with confidence.
Image via Mazda.
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
Categories
