Blog Layout

DON'T FORGET A LAST MINUTE THANKSGIVING ROAD TRIP CHECK

American Pride Automotive • Nov 27, 2013
Heading up to grandma’s house today or tomorrow for a Thanksgiving feast? With weather reports showing severe weather up and down the coast it’s a good idea to give your car a once-over before packing up the family and starting the drive. Ideally, you should visit an auto service shop for a professional once-over before any significant drive, but if it’s too late for that, there are a few things you can do. Barring significant vehicle problems like transmission trouble or wornbrakes, a visual inspection as well as some other provisions can help ensure your safety on the road this holiday.

AMERICAN PRIDE’S ROAD TRIP CHECKLIST
  • Inspect tires for wear. Even slightly thread-bare tires pose a great threat to drivers in rainy and icy conditions. Put a penny headfirst into the tread. Can you see the top of Lincoln’s head? If so, your tires are unsafe and unless you replace them before the trip, it may be preferable to opt for a rental car.
  • Check and refill fluids. Windshield wiper fluid, coolant and power steering fluid all perform important functions. With the engine off, consult your vehicle’s owners manual for instructions on how to find, check and refill, if necessary.
  • Be smart about cargo. You should find the total load (that means cargo and passengers) on the inside of the driver’s side door. While you may not have an industrial scale with which to weigh luggage, a vehicle that sags in the back when loaded up is probably at an unsafe capacity. And remember, heavy cargo reduces fuel economy. Try to pack light.
  • Prepare an emergency kit. In the unfortunate event that you have an accident, it’s smart to keep a well-stocked emergency kit within arms reach in the vehicle. This kit should include, among other things: extra water and snacks, a flashlight, blanket, first aid supplies, common tools and emergency flares. On a related note, be sure to have a spare tire on hand as well as a tire jack.
  • Make sure you “see the lights.” This is a step that’s often overlooked even though it’s very simple to do! Check that all exterior lights on your vehicle are in good working condition before heading out. Along with being a safety and visibility issue, a malfunctioning tail light or burnt-out left turn signal could get you pulled over.
It may be too late for a pre-Thanksgiving professional road trip check as the holiday is tomorrow, but don’t forget to call orcontact American Pride and make an appointment before your Christmas travels get underway. We wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving and a happy Hanukkah! We are grateful for our loyal customers and the Newport News, Williamsburg and Toano communities.
We support our healthcare workers
26 Mar, 2020
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
By American Pride Automotive 02 Aug, 2019
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
By American Pride Automotive 05 Apr, 2019
Along with flat tires and low or faulty batteries, an overheating engine is one of the leading causes of car breakdowns. An engine can overheat for many reasons, but coolant issues are often to blame.
By American Pride Automotive 17 Jul, 2018
ONCE I HAVE REGISTERED MY VEHICLE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, HOW LONG DO I HAVE BEFORE MY VEHICLE MUST BE INSPECTED? There is no grace period. Once you have registered a vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles in the state of Virginia, it must be inspected immediately.
By American Pride Automotive 01 Jul, 2018
Your vehicle's powertrain can last for hundreds of thousands of miles with proper maintenance and minor repairs in most cases. Unfortunately, major, unexpected problems can happen in which your only option is a replacement of the engine or transmission.
By American Pride Automotive 27 Jul, 2017
Sometimes it's simply time to buy a new or used vehicle that you LOVE at the right price.
By American Pride Automotive 06 Dec, 2016
This increased risk makes driving while fatigued almost as dangerous as driving while tipsy.
By American Pride Automotive 02 Dec, 2016
Our cars and trucks carry us from point A to point B all year long and everyday use can create significant wear and tear that may not make itself obvious until a long road trip.
By American Pride Automotive 10 Oct, 2016
While most leaks are caused by damaged outer seams on the evaporator core, others are a result of corrosion inside the unit.
By American Pride Automotive 10 Oct, 2016
For July, August and September, $5.00 from every State Inspection performed was set aside for this quarter's community: star Hospice House & Support Care of Williamsburg.
More Posts
Share by: