Taking a vacation is one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy time away from work and stressful routines that we have to go through from day to day. Going on vacation can be the perfect way to enjoy the company of family, friends or both for a getaway that can be just a couple of days, a week or longer, depending on your particular situation.
There are many different wants to take a vacation, most of which include driving. Whether your vacation begins on a plane, train or bus, it is very likely that when you reach your destination you will still be doing some driving. When your vacation involves a rental car, it is always a good practice to make sure that you perform some routine auto safety precautions before you begin driving.
Vacationing auto safety in a rental involves making sure that your major auto systems are working as they should be. Make sure the gas pedal and brake pedal, turn signals, emergency flashers, door locks burglar alarm system, radio, seat belts and horn are all working. It may seem like a lot of things to check but you need to be sure that each one works since you will be driving the car and are responsible for the vehicle.
If you are taking a vacation that involves driving your own car, vacationing auto safety with your vehicle involves some of the same safety checks before you hit the road. In addition to the safety precautions for a rental car, for your own vehicle you should have the oil checked and changed if it’s near the time it’s due, check the tires and make sure that they are pressurized correctly (using a tire gauge to see that the tires are at the right psi). Also be sure to check the lights since if you are driving a long ways, you will have the lights on for a long time.
While on vacation, there are a couple of easy things you can do to keep your auto safety whether it is a rental or your own:
- Always park in well lit areas when possible, even in the hotel or motel parking lot. Sometimes just the lighting is a deterrent to thieves who may have spotted the out of state plate and are thinking about stealing your car.
- Be sure to secure your vehicle by locking the door and activating the burglar alarm system. Also take care not to leave valuables inside the car. Even if the beach bag doesn’t have anything in it, a thief may be tempted to break into your vehicle just to see.
- Make sure that you turn off all systems in the car before you shut it off. This includes the air or heat, stereo interior lights and exterior lights to be sure that you do not run your battery down.
Vacationing auto safety ensures that your vacation can be an enjoyable one with a safe driving experience.