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Fall Road Trip Essentials

October 16, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

It’s quite easy to miss packing all of your fall road trip essentials, especially when you get too excited. I can’t blame you, though. A road trip in fall is a totally different experience. The bland and usual terrain transforms into something new and feels almost like you are visiting an alien planet. Who wouldn’t want that?

But just like any road trip, you have to plan for everything including your essentials. Leaving behind your phone charger or your food cache can turn a dream road trip into a disaster.

Fall Road Trip Essentials Checklist

fall road trip essentialsSo you already know where you plan to go and you have all the information you need, but that’s not enough for you to get on the road. You still need a couple of things to make the road trip a success.

We understand that it can get a bit hectic when preparing for trips and you might end up forgetting things. That’s why we are coming up with a checklist containing the most important fall road trip essentials that you will need for a memorable road trip.

1. Have the Car Checked

While this should be automatic, we can’t count how many times people would tell stories how their road trips got derailed because of their car breaking down. No, you don’t have to go and get a full-service check. As a matter of fact, a simple maintenance check can get you a long way. Most repair shops already know what to check when you tell them that you are going on a road trip.

2. Bring a Map

It doesn’t matter if it’s a physical map or an app version. You have to make sure you don’t get lost out there, especially if you are not familiar with your destination. There are a lot of apps out there that allows you to download maps for offline viewing in case you find yourself in an area with no service.

3. Stock up on Food

When it comes to fall road trip essentials, food is one of the most important considerations. There are two food types you need to bring when you go on a road trip. First are the snacks that you can eat while driving. While snacks usually serve the purpose of “fun food”, most of them aren’t exactly filling.

There will be moments during the drive when you need real food that could quell your hunger. For those cases, make sure you bring sandwiches, calzones, pies, or burritos in case the next food stop is still an hour away. Also, bring water on your trip in case you find yourself thirsty during the trip.

4. Pack Layers

fall road trip essentialsDepending on where you plan to go on your fall road trip, the weather can get a bit crazy. You might be enjoying a sunny afternoon drive but it can get a bit wet and cold after an hour. Make sure you bring clothes that can protect you in case it gets too cold or too hot.

5. Carry a First-Aid Kit

No, you don’t have to carry a trunkload of gauzes and ointments. As a matter of fact, you only need to prepare a simple first-aid kit that can address any health issue that may arise. For starters, you can bring antibacterial wipes, sanitizers, bandages, and pain medication for a headache or stomachaches.

6. Gadget Essentials

We all need our phones nowadays so we should make sure that we have everything we need to stay connected. Make sure you already packed your phone charger. If available, bring a car phone charger as well so you can recharge your device while on the move. It’s also a good idea to bring a power bank in case you really need a quick charge while on a trek. Lastly, make sure that you have all the necessary accessories and implements for your other gadgets like cameras or drones.

fall road trip essentials

7. Carry Along Some Entertainment

A long drive can get boring fast, especially when you have kids with you. Prepare a list of games and other forms of entertainment for the drive. Bringing along an iPad with popular movies can keep the back seat happy while cruising.

Prepare for your Fall Road Trip with T3 Atlanta

While it’s easy to go and prepare the food, clothes, gadgets, and entertainment for your road trip, getting a good service center for your car might get dicey at times. That’s why you need a partner who knows your car inside and out and can give you honest and expert advice with regards to your car’s condition.

T3 Atlanta is a full-service maintenance and repair service business in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in Lexus, Toyota, Infiniti, and Nissan cars, T3 Atlanta has the best technicians with years of experience. So if you need to have your car checked quickly but with an expert eye, check out T3 Atlanta today.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

The 5 Best Road Trip Apps for Your Next Trip

September 18, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps are essential companions when it comes to road trips across the country or in-town. But what other apps are out there for long-distance travel? When you’re planning your next road trip, check out these apps to help keep you entertained, fueled, and educated about your surroundings for a truly outstanding vacation. Here are the 5 best road trip apps for your next trip.

1. Spotify

best road trip appsMusic is a must-have on any road trip. Instead of packing a binder of CD’s, download Spotify. This app offers millions of songs and podcasts to keep you and your road trip companions entertained whether your trip is three-hundred or three-thousand miles long.

You can even download your entertainment for offline listening so you don’t rack up the phone charges for the month.

Spotify»

2. REI Co-Op National Parks Guide

best road trip appsAre you a spontaneous traveler? The REI Co-Op National Parks Guide might be your new best friend. This free app contains maps and sightseeing information about many of the country’s National Parks with new park information updated regularly.

Best of all? This app doesn’t require cell data, so you don’t need to worry about your map vanishing when you’re in the middle of a backcountry hike.

REI Co-Op National Parks Guide on Google»

REI Co-Op National Parks Guide on Apple»

3. Audubon Bird Guide

best road trip appsAudubon’s Bird Guide app is the perfect, palm-sized field guide for anyone who wants to try bird watching on their next road trip. The app makes it easy to explore what kind of birds are nearby so that you know what to look out for.

Spot a bird that you don’t recognize? No problem! The app lets you enter in a description of what you saw and provides the best matches so you can know for certain what kind of owl you just saw.

The Audubon Bird Guide on Android»

The Audubon Bird Guide on Apple»

4. TripIt

best road trip appsTripIt is the ideal travel companion for hardcore planners. This app creates an all-in-one itinerary for you to make your trip as smooth as possible. All you need to do is forward your travel information – that includes hotels, travel, and even restaurants – to their dedicated submission line, and TripIt does the rest.

From there, you can easily share your compiled information with your traveling companions so you can skip the worry of juggling a dozen confirmation emails or printouts.

TripIt»

5. GasBuddy

best road trip appsUnless you own an electric car, GasBuddy is a road trip essential. With this app, all you need to do is enter in your location and it does the rest, finding the closest gas stations to where you are as well as prices. That way, you don’t have to be uncertain about where the next gas station is or be surprised by prices.

GasBuddy»

Prepare Your Car for Your Road Trip with T3 Atlanta

Planning a road trip? Now that you’ve got your entertainment sorted with the best road trip apps for your trip, make sure your car is in top condition before you take to the road. Save the time and hassle of getting stranded on the highway and enjoy your trip to its fullest with a car that’s in top condition.

T3 Atlanta services Infiniti, Toyota, Lexus, and Nissan vehicles. With two convenient metro area locations in Smyrna and Decatur, we make it easy to stop in for all your car care needs. We’ll inspect your vehicle and recommend any important maintenance items you may have so that you can embark on your road trip with confidence. Give us a call today and we’ll help ensure that your car gets you from point A to B without a hitch.

Filed Under: Car Tips, Travel Tips

Where to go to see Fall Colors in the Southeast in 2018

September 4, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Forests in the South are filled with broadleaf trees that change colors in spectacular fashion every fall. The optimal time to see fall colors at their peak in the Southeast is during late October and early November, making now the perfect time to start planning your trip. Best of all, these destinations are within day-trip distance to Atlanta, so you don’t have to book a full week’s vacation to see some of the best natural beauty in the country. Here’s where to go to see fall colors in the Southeast in 2018.

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

where to go for fall foliage 2018Located in Northern Georgia, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is a must-see destination for sightseers, bird watchers, hikers, and fall foliage photographers alike.

With over 800,000 acres of trees in its boundaries, this forest is perfect for spontaneous travelers who like to freestyle their trip. Pick a direction and you’ll be sure to find some truly unique sights and vistas wherever the road takes you.

Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is a state park located in North Carolina about a 6-hour drive away from downtown Atlanta. This park is unique for having the highest peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which means you’ll have a great vantage point to see the season’s changing leaves. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the fall foliage up close with almost 2500 square miles of forest to explore.

Table Rock State Park

Nestled in South Carolina’s section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Table Rock State Park is a 3-hour drive from downtown Atlanta. This park features 80 miles of interconnected trailways for a truly immersive fall foliage viewing experience. Enjoy the fall colors from your private cabin or on top of one of the park’s two mountains for a refreshing weekend trip.

Cherohala Skyway

where to go for fall foliage 2018

If you’re a driving enthusiast, the Cherohala Skyway deserves a spot on the top of your fall foliage routes. The Skyway is a wide two-lane road with plenty of expansive views and stop-offs for your photographing pleasure.

With 40 miles of road that winds up and down the sides of mountains for a diverse range of foliage and colors, this road is a true visual treat that is sure to delight drivers.

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Cloudland Canyon State Park in Northern Georgia is the perfect weekend getaway for people looking to experience fall foliage up close and personally. Located two and a half hours from Atlanta, this park features cabins, campsites, and hiking with close access to the park’s central canyon.

From the canyon’s ridge, you’ll have fantastic views of all kinds of broadleaf trees no matter what direction you look. With plenty of accessibility options, Cloudland Canyon is a must-visit for families and hiking enthusiasts alike.

Blue Ridge Parkway

where to go for fall foliage 2018No fall foliage list is complete without mentioning the Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic road starts in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and winds 469 miles all the way to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

There are plenty of quaint towns along the way to refill your gas tank, get something for lunch, or stop at an inn for the night. On top of that, there are plenty of stop-overs for hikers and backpackers along the road, making this route ideal for people with a diverse assortment of interests.

Road Trip Maintenance with T3 Atlanta

Whether you’re heading as far as the Northeast or enjoying the fall colors in the North Georgia mountains, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready before you get started. The last thing you want on your weekend trip is to be stuck on the side of the road, after all!

Make the most of your fall foliage trip by making an appointment with T3 Atlanta. We’ll inspect your vehicle and make important maintenance recommendations so that you can take to the road with confidence this fall. Give us a call today!

Filed Under: Auto Repair, Travel Tips

Back to School Driving Tips

August 7, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

The school year has started for many families across the nation, meaning busy schedules and crowded roads. Atlanta is notorious for heavy traffic regardless of the time of year, and the influx of teens with new drivers licenses makes the morning commute even more of a challenge. Whether you’re a veteran driver or brand new behind the wheel, here are our top back to school driving tips to help you and other drivers get to your destination safely this fall.

1. Leave with Plenty of Extra Time

back to school driving tipsHeavy traffic in the morning can spell significant delays and plenty of people in a rush to get to school or work. Book extra time to get where you’re going so that you won’t need to worry about being late for the bell if you encounter heavy traffic.

Leaving with plenty of time will also help you avoid the temptation to speed and risk getting into a wreck.

2. Minimize Multitasking

back to school driving tipsEmails, texts, calls, choosing the best song for your morning ride, and even reacting to street directions all demand a part of your attention. However, the most important thing you need to focus on is the road.

Although you may have to take a phone call or change what’s playing on the radio, ignore any incoming emails and definitely don’t respond to any texts you may receive until you arrive at your destination. Minimizing your distractions will help you stay safe on the road.

3. Hang Back and Wait for Traffic to Subside

It’s no secret that traffic in Atlanta can be monstrous. Instead of jumping into the fray, consider hanging back and getting a coffee or chatting with your friends before you start heading towards home. Waiting for traffic to die down is also a great opportunity to get started on homework!

4. Keep your Gas Tank at Least Half Full

back to school driving tipsKeep your gas tank at least half full. Even though it might mean an extra trip to the gas station, you will never have to worry about running out of gas when you’re stuck in traffic on the freeway.

Keeping your tank at least half full is especially important come winter, as condensation can build up inside an almost-empty gas tank and lead to corrosion.

5. Don’t Speed

Leave with plenty of time to reduce the tempation to speed in order to make it to class on time. You’ll be able to react more quickly to unexpected pedestrians, especially in school zones, as well as cyclists and construction workers. Plus, you’ll be able to avoid getting pulled over by the police and ensuring that you are late for class!

6. Share the Road

back to school driving tipsDepending on where you live in Atlanta, your neighborhood may have a lot of cyclists and pedestrians on the road. Be sure to share the road when you’re behind the wheel.

  • Pay attention to school bus signage and stop whenever buses stop
  • Be aware of pedestrians, especially in school zones
  • Give cyclists at least 3 feet of space when you’re passing
  • Give motorcyclists the same amount of space you would give a car
  • Be cautious when you’re driving along parked cars, as people can step out unexpectedly
  • Check your mirrors as often as you need to in order to be sure that you’re aware of who is near your vehicle; as the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry

7. Service Your Car at T3 Atlanta, Your Friendly, Metro-Area Mechanic

There’s nothing like a busted belt or a worn-out water pipe to throw your schedule into chaos. Between the demands of school, sports, homework, and work, there just isn’t time to get stranded on the side of the road.

Bring your Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, or Infiniti to T3 Atlanta before your semester is in full swing. We’ll inspect your vehicle and advise of any urgent repairs as well as future repairs that are recommended by your car’s maintenance schedule.

We have two convenient metro-area locations in Decatur and Smyrna. Give us a call today and we’ll help ensure that your vehicle is ready for whatever your semester brings!

Filed Under: Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, Travel Tips

Top Tips for Staying Comfortable During Your Summer Road Trip

July 17, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Summer is here, and that means many families are taking to the road. Road trips are a fantastic way to see America and spend quality time with friends are family. Because you’ll be spending a lot of time in your car, staying comfortable during your summer road trip is essential. Here are our top tips to help you stay cozy during your cross-country drive.

Top Tips for Staying Comfortable During Your Summer Road Trip

1. Wear loose, comfortable clothes
While it’s tempting to want to look stylish the moment you arrive at your destination, it’s important to wear loose and comfortable clothes on a long drive. This type of clothing not only improves your comfort, it helps keep your blood circulation normal too.

2. Consider your footwear
Staying Comfortable During Your Summer Road TripThis tip ultimately comes down to a personal preference. Slip-ons and sandals are ideal for long drives, but some people live in their sneakers. Whatever your footwear of choice might be, you’ll ideally want to avoid shoes that constrict or cut into your skin to help make your drive as comfortable as possible.

3. Adjust your seat
Seat placement is essential for long-term drives. A seat that is too close to the wheel can cause leg cramps and discomfort. A seat that is too far away can cause arm and neck strain. In both cases, you may find yourself fatigued due to the excess strain.

Grab a seat cushion if you need one to improve your seat placement. Consider a lumbar support bar if you have back trouble.

4. Keep snacks and other trip essentials within reach
Staying Comfortable During Your Summer Road TripBy keeping snacks and other trip essentials within reach, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle when, two hours into your trip, you realize that you need a charging cable for your phone or GPS.

Trip essentials to keep within reach include:

  • Snacks
  • Water
  • Entertainment (mp3 players, music)
  • Charging cables
  • Maps

5. Stay hydrated
Staying comfortable during your summer road trip is easier when you’re hydrated. It’s easy to avoid drinking in order to reduce the number of times you have to stop for a bathroom break. In fact, staying hydrated can help you feel your best for your long drive. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches, and more, none of which are pleasant to deal with on a long drive.

6. Stop and stretch every few hours
Staying Comfortable During Your Summer Road TripStopping and stretching helps keep you alert, which is important when it comes to late-night or even overnight drives. When you push yourself past your limits on a marathon drive, your reaction time and alertness decrease, which can be a dangerous combination for yourself and other drivers on the road. Stay safe and rest when you need to; that’s what rest stops are for.

Prepare Your Car for your Summer Road Trip at T3 Atlanta

A comfortable road trip is more than just the physical elements. Peace of mind is essential to a hassle-free vacation, too.

If you’re planning on taking to the road this summer, bring your car by T3 Atlanta before you leave. We’ll be able to advise if you need any repairs before your trip to help keep you from getting stuck on the side of the road. Give us a call and book an appointment today!

Filed Under: Car Tips, Travel Tips

Preparing Your Car for Spring

March 6, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Spring is here, and that means it’s time for warmer weather and driving with the windows rolled down. You may have heard of winterizing your car, but did you know that it’s just as important to get your car ready for spring? Preparing your car for spring will not only ensure that you’re ready for summer road trips ahead, it will help keep your car in top condition year-round. Here are our top tips for spring car maintenance.

Top Tips for Spring Car Maintenance

Winter can be very hard on cars between difficult driving conditions and the added demands of cold weather. Preparing your car for spring helps ensure that your vehicle stays in the best shape possible for the warmer weather ahead.

Spring Cleaning… for Cars!

preparing your car for spring

If your car is regularly parked in a garage, then you likely don’t have to worry about this step. But if you park outdoors every night, especially if your driveway or parking space is below trees, then it’s important to clear out any leaves, pine needles, nuts, and other debris that may have accumulated along the seams between your windshield wipers and runoff channels. You may want to pop open your engine compartment too – debris can accumulate inside the engine compartment without you realizing it.

You may also consider cleaning out the inside of your vehicle and replacing your winter emergency kit for a summer kit. That way, you can lighten up the load and save on gas mileage, which in turn means fewer dollars spent at the pump.

Have Your Car Washed

preparing your car for springDuring cold weather and snow, salt is added to the roads to help prevent freezing and ice. While this makes roads safer to drive in the short term, salt can corrode the undercarriage of your vehicle. Corrosion takes time to cause significant damage, but when it does happen, it can lead to expensive repairs. Having regular car washes can help prevent the buildup of salt so you can avoid corrosion down the road.

Car washes also provide your car with a fresh coat of wax, which not only keeps your car looking great, it helps protect the paint as well. Regular applications of wax will ensure better visibility during rainstorms as well, since water will slide right off instead of beading up on your windows.

Replace Your Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers work extra hard in the winter to remove the extra salts and grime that are a byproduct of inclement weather. It’s generally a good idea to replace your windshield wipers twice a year. If you can coincide them with the start of spring and the end of fall, you’ll be able to keep track of how new they are, easily. The result? A perfectly clean and clear windshield no matter how many spring showers you encounter.

Top Off Your Fluids

preparing your car for springRegularly replacing your vehicle’s fluids is an essential part of preventive maintenance. Keeping up with this part of car ownership helps prolong your vehicle’s life. Spring is the perfect time to check your vehicle’s fluids.

Fluids to check include:

  • Brake fluid
  • Cooling system fluids
  • Power steering fluids
  • Window washing fluids
  • Oil

Check Your Belts, Hoses, and Lights

Taking regular care of your car will help your vehicle stay in top performance and extend its lifespan. Stop by T3 Atlanta for a routine check of your belts, hoses, and lights. We’ll be able to assess how much life is left in these parts so you can plan for the future and avoid unexpected repairs. Preparing your car for spring is a snap with T3 Atlanta!

Filed Under: Car Tips, Travel Tips

What to Do If Your Brakes Stop Working

February 20, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Car brakes may only have one purpose, but it’s an absolutely essential purpose for not just yourself, but everyone on the road. We take for granted that when we press the brake pedal, the car will slow down and come to a stop. But what happens if you press the pedal and nothing happens? This is a terrifying situation, for sure, but knowing what to do if your brakes stop working can help you navigate through this rare problem to safety.

What to Do If Your Brakes Stop Working

Depending on how fast you are driving if your brakes stop working, it can be challenging to react quickly. Brake failure is a rare situation, so hopefully you will never need to use these tips!

What to Do If Your Brakes Stop Working

  1. what to do if your brakes stop workingDon’t panic. The worst thing you can do when your brakes fail is to panic. When you panic, you are far more prone to lose control of your car and the situation, leading to a far worse outcome and possible personal injury. Whether you are stuck in traffic or driving down the highway when your brakes fail, keeping a cool head will ensure the safety of yourself and drivers around you.
  2. Use your emergency brake. Emergency brakes are a separate system from your regular rotors. They will work in the event of brake failure. But, use the emergency brake carefully! Emergency brakes are not designed with anti-lock features, however, so it’s important to use them with care; otherwise, you could lock your brakes and lose control of your vehicle. Apply gradual pressure to help slow the car.
  3. Shift your car into a lower gear if safe to do so. Downshifting uses the engine to help slow the car naturally. Shifting the car into neutral is another way to slow your forward momentum.
  4. Pump the brakes to help build brake fluid pressure. If you can regain enough pressure in the brake line, you can slow your car down and get to a safe place.
  5. Use terrain to your advantage, if possible. This includes steering onto the shoulder of the road, into gravel or sand (such as in the case of a runaway truck ramp), or into grass.
  6. Don’t turn off your car until you’ve come to a stop. By shutting off the car, you will also shut off your power steering, making maneuvering almost impossible. Keep your car running until you have come to a stop to reduce your chances of causing damage to yourself, your car, or to others around you.
  7. Get to a safe place and call for roadside assistance. Once you have moved your car off the roadway, call roadside assistance. You’ll want to set the emergency brake to make sure that your car doesn’t roll away while you are waiting!

Causes of Car Brake Failure

With modern technology, exhaustive testing, and rigorous standards – in addition to failsafes and double circuits – brake failure isn’t something that happens all too often.

Common causes of car brake failure include:

  • what to do if your brakes stop workingA catastrophic loss of brake fluid is the most likely culprit when it comes to brake failure. In this case, the amount of pressure in the brake line is unable to engage the piston that presses against the brake pads.
  • Grease or oil on the brakes can cause brake failure because they interfere with the friction necessary for them to function properly.
  • Problems in the brake line, such as excessive rust or severance, can interrupt the signals between the pedal and the pads, and lead to unresponsive braking.
  • It’s also possible for something to become lodged underneath the brake while you’re driving. This could be a loose water bottle, canister, or anything that could become wedged between the brake and the floor of the car preventing you from fully depressing the pedal.

Brake Service at T3 Atlanta

If you have noticed your brakes acting less responsive or making strange sounds lately, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are about to fail. Brake failure is a very rare occurrence, thankfully! However, it’s still important to get any changes in your brakes checked out so your car can be in top shape to react to unexpected situations on the road.

Filed Under: Car Tips, Travel Tips

Top Tips for Eating Healthy on the Road

February 13, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Eating well can be a challenge for the busy individual. Buying groceries, preparing ingredients, and cooking meals takes time that a lot of people can barely spare. When you’re traveling, eating healthy on the road can be even more difficult. It’s easy to pull off the freeway and stop at a fast food joint so you can make the best time possible to your destination. Here are our top tips for eating healthy on the road – without adding a ton of time to your route!

Top Tips for Eating Healthy on the Road

Eating healthy on the road takes some planning; however, the benefits can be very worthwhile! The costs of fast food and restaurant stops add up quickly, but carefully planning your road trip meals can save you both cash and help you stay healthy. The food you get on the go often contains a lot of salt, sugar, and fat – all of which combine to add extra inches to your waistline.

Stop at Grocery Stores

It may take a little extra time, but a quick stop at a grocery store can help you stick to your typical diet as long as you shop smart! Grocery store stops on the road are especially useful for people with dietary restrictions or specific dietary needs.

Many grocery stores have:

  • eating healthy on the roadDelis
  • Cold cuts counters
  • Salad bars
  • Bagged salads
  • Prepared sandwiches or ready meals
  • Sushi
  • Hot food bars
  • Options for people with dietary restrictions
  • Vegan and vegetarian options

If you’re planning to camp, a stop at the grocery store can score you ingredients for the quintessential campfire meal. If your hotel has a microwave, meanwhile, you can always grab some healthier option frozen foods.

Pack in Advance and Bring a Cooler

If you have room in your car between your passengers and your luggage, you might want to consider bringing a cooler. That way, you can pack food in advance and help defray the costs of eating out.

Cooler-friendly options include:

  • Deli sandwiches
  • Cold cuts
  • Cold rotisserie chicken
  • Fruit
  • Sliced vegetables
  • Salads
  • Ready-to-eat meals

Bring Snacks

While snacks aren’t a replacement for a meal, they’re a great way to help keep you and your road trip crew fed when there’s a hundred miles between rest stops. Bringing road trip snacks lets you customize exactly what you will be eating so you can keep your sugar intake and salt intake down.

Some ideas for road trip snacks that pack well include:

  • eating healthy on the roadNuts and/or trail mix
  • Dried fruit
  • Fresh fruit (whole or pre-sliced – bananas, apples, oranges, and grapes are all road trip friendly)
  • Hummus and pita chips
  • Sliced vegetables
  • Jerky
  • Cheese
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Bottled smoothies and protein drinks

The snacks you bring can also save you money, since you won’t be pumping quarters into the vending machine.

Eat Smaller Meals More Regularly

Eating throughout the day helps regulate your metabolism, which in turn means your body utilizes the food you eat more efficiently. Combined with healthy options like fruit, vegetables, and nuts, you can stay satisfied and well-fed no matter where the road takes you.

Use Rest Stops

Depending on where your travels take you, you may wind up passing by rest stops. A lot of rest stops have grills or pavilions intended for use just like your community park. If you’re traveling with no hard timeline, you may want to consider taking advantage of this resource. You can not only enjoy a hot meal, you’ll be able to cook it exactly like you want.

Eating healthy on the road may take some extra planning, but as you can see, it’s worth the savings in both wellness and cost.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Should You Eat in Your Car?

February 6, 2018 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Should You Eat in Your Car?

As car owners, most of us have eaten in our cars at least once during ownership. Drive-throughs are convenient for road warriors and work commuters alike. Time is money, after all, and there’s not always time to take a leisurely meal when you’re on the go. But should you eat in your car or not? There’s a lot of debate on both sides, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this practice.

Eating in Your Car: Pros

Whether you’re a casual driver or a road warrior, there are a lot of pros to eating in your car.

should you eat in your carCan be Fun: If you’ve never had a picnic in your car before, why not give it a shot? Sometimes your planned trip to the park can be rained out. Or, perhaps there’s not a park nearby. With the right mentality, a picnic in your car can be a lot of fun. Grab a good friend, pack a bag (or a picnic basket if you have one), and drive to your local park for a quick nosh before enjoying a day in the sun.

Timesaver: It’s 7:40am and you haven’t eaten breakfast yet, but your boss expects you to be at a meeting at 8am. You’ll want to be at your best, so instead of skipping the most important meal of the day, stopping by the drive-through can help you fill up and give you the energy you need to rock your meeting.

Convenient: As nice as it is to have a sit-down meal at a restaurant, nothing beats convenience like eating in your car. Depending on whether you grab something at the grocery store, bring something from home, or stop at your favorite fast food spot, eating on the go is convenient to not have to leave your car to be served a meal.

Eating in Your Car: Cons

While eating in your car has a lot of conveniences, there are some cons to consider as well.

should you eat in your carDanger: Driving safely requires your full attention to be on the road. Multitasking on anything – whether it’s driving and being on the phone, driving and talking with your passenger, or driving and eating – reduces how much attention you have to focus on the road.

Health Considerations: As convenient as it is to stop at your usual fast food joint, eating fast food isn’t always the healthiest option. If you have special health considerations or are just trying to watch your waistline, it may be a good idea to keep track of how often you’re eating on the go.

Cleanliness: When your attention is split between driving and eating, it can be easy for stray crumbs to escape even the best-intentioned driver. If you’re a clean freak, this may be a deal breaker for you. After all, crumbs accumulate in the most difficult of places – and that’s not even to mention spills. Unless you have a membership at your local auto wash, you may wind up spending a good chunk of change to keep your car spotless if you eat in your car on the regular.

Splitting the Difference

As you can see, there’s no single answer to the question, ‘Should you eat in your car?’ Ultimately, this choice comes down to preference and your particular situation. Some of us want to keep our favorite cars in pristine condition while others don’t mind a few crumbs here and there. Some of us are on a tight deadline and can’t spare the time to stop for a meal.

Whatever you decide, just remember to keep your eyes on the road and a hand on the wheel. It’s also probably a good idea to avoid foods that are messy or require both hands.

If you drop something, don’t reach down and grab it. While it might cause a mess, leave it or, if you have a passenger, ask them to grab the item if they are able. No matter how you look at it, it’s better to cause a small mess than a large car accident!

Filed Under: Car Tips, Travel Tips

What to do If Your Car Starts Fishtailing

December 12, 2017 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

There are few more alarming sensations than when your car suddenly behaves in a way you don’t expect. Fishtailing is one of those loss of control situations that happens when you least expect it. Without knowing what to do if your car starts fishtailing, you could spin out of control.

What is Fishtailing?

What to do If Your Car Starts FishtailingAlthough the name sounds silly, the term ‘fishtailing’ is a good way to think about what happens during this type of loss of control. While the car is moving, the rear end of the car slides out of alignment with the front wheels and may waver back and forth, much like a fish swimming.

The movement can be small and easily corrected, or it may be significant and could pose a traffic hazard. In any case, you’ll want to know how what to do if your car starts fishtailing so you can get to your destination safely.

Why do Cars Fishtail?

Whether a car is new, old, AWD or 4WD, every vehicle can potentially fishtail in the right (or wrong!) conditions. These reasons include:

  • What to do If Your Car Starts FishtailingRoad conditions, especially icy, snowy, wet, or slick conditions
  • Curves and turns in the road
  • Weight distribution where the front of the car is heavier than the rear

Cars are not limited to fishtailing on curves; this phenomenon can happen on straight roads too, such as when you are changing lanes or avoiding an unexpected obstacle in the road.

Fishtailing vs Hydroplaning

You may have heard of a phenomenon known as ‘hydroplaning’. Fishtailing and hydroplaning are similar in that you lose control of your vehicle by skidding, but they actually refer to two different issues.

Hydroplaning is a type of vehicle loss of control that only occurs when water is present on the road surface. During this type of loss of vehicle control, water gets between the surface of the road and the tire, causing the car to skid.

What to do If Your Car Starts Fishtailing

When your car starts to fishtail, your car will unfortunately not correct itself, instead turning into a full spin if you don’t act as quickly as possible. Spinning out will make it that much harder to redirect your vehicle and pose a potential hazard to other drivers too.

Correcting a fishtailing car is a fairly straightforward process. The sooner you can react to correct the issue, the more quickly you can get back to normal driving!

  • What to do If Your Car Starts FishtailingStay calm
  • Let go of the accelerator and brake
  • Gently turn the wheel in the direction of the spin or skid
  • Let your car naturally slow
  • Correct the fishtail and adjust your driving speed

It’s important to remain calm when your car starts to fishtail. Once your car begins to skid out of control, you could actually cause the car to fishtail to the other side if you oversteer to correct the problem. This could lead to a series of fishtails and pose a potentially serious hazard to yourself and other drivers.

Although it may be difficult to remember in the moment, gentle movements and adjustments will help return your car back to control. Jerking the wheel will make things worse.

Fishtailing most often happens when driving too quickly for conditions. If your car has fishtailed once during a particular stretch of road, chances are it will happen again. Adjust your driving speed to fit the conditions.

Filed Under: Car Tips, Travel Tips

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In 1994, our founder, Charles Wright, wanted to leave the corporate/professional environment and start his own company. After months of reading business planning books, he decided to establish an auto service company. He recalled reading that auto repair people were the first or second least trusted group of people among service providers, and Charles wanted to provide Atlanta car owners with a trustworthy auto repair shop. He learned how the service business was structured, and opened T3 Atlanta to offer customers an affordable and efficient service company. To learn more about Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota, and Nissan auto repairs at T3 Atlanta, please contact our office!

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