Summer is here and that means friends and families are taking to the road for vacations. You’re no doubt excited about your destination, whether you’re heading to the beach or the mountains. But, a large part of the road trip experience is your time on the road! These road trip essentials will help you get to your destination safely and ready to have a great vacation.

Road Trip Essentials

Here are the top road trip essentials, all of which you can easily customize to your own situation and needs.

Paper Maps

Although cell reception is widespread these days, there are still large parts of the US which do not have reception. Having a backup is a great way to avoid getting lost. Most state border visitor information centers will have free maps. You can also download offline copies of maps to your smartphone or tablet for easy reference.

Cleaning Supplies

When you’re on the road, spills can quickly become a big inconvenience. You can’t just hop over to your home supply closet, so be sure to pack these essential items:

• Towel: Having a dedicated “trip towel” can come in handy in a variety of situations. A towel can become a pillow or blanket in a snap. The large surface area is ideal for cleaning up large spills, or drying off the dog if she rolled around in some mud. Towels don’t take up much space and are utilitarian in a variety of situations.
• Wet sanitizing wipes: These all-purpose wipes come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any situation. They’re great for wiping up spilled juice, cleaning off the windshield, and everything in between. Plus, many wipes are antibacterial so you can keep germs at bay and prevent unwanted colds.
• Paper towels or napkins: You never know when a paper towel can come in handy as an impromptu napkin. Ideal for spills and car care, and of course, napkins!
• Instant hand sanitizer: Instant hand sanitizer is a road trip must. Small keychain bottles can fit into purses, onto carabiner clips, or into supply bags without taking up much room.

Emergency Kit

You never know what the road might bring, so it’s best to have an emergency kit even if you don’t use it.

What to have in an emergency kit:

• Jumper cables
• Flares
• Water or coolant
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Tire gauge
• First aid kit

Snacks and Food

No road trip is complete without food. Depending on whether your trip is a few days or a few weeks, you can save some money and eat healthier than fast food. Plus, you won’t have to make stops every few hours if you stock a cooler with snacks or a picnic lunch.

Ideal snacks for the trip include:

• Chips
• Pretzels
• Jerky
• Dried fruit
• Nut mixes
• Granola bites
• Energy bars
• Pre-sliced vegetables with dip

Make adjustments to suit your preferences as desired. It’s recommended to keep coolers in easy reach so that you don’t have to unpack the entire car to get to that granola bar. If you have the space, keep the cooler in the back seat for your optimal convenience.

Water

It may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget about water when you are ready to have some fun. Sodas are far more appealing when it comes to being on vacation.

Bring a refillable bottle and keep yourself topped up at rest stops along the way. Many cafes will also let you fill up your bottle at no charge. Not only is this better for the environment, but you can keep yourself hydrated and save money on buying extra disposable bottles!

Activities for the Car

Especially useful if you are travelling with kids, activities for the car will keep the young ones occupied so they aren’t constantly asking that age old question: “Are we there yet?”

Many stores carry car-friendly games and toys. These often have magnetic pieces to help prevent small parts from getting lost between the seat cushions. Portable DVD players are a great way to keep kids entertained not only in the car, but in camping tents or the hotel room.

The Most Important Preparation for Summer Road Trips

It can be easy to overlook when your car is running smoothly, but having a vehicle inspection is the most important part of planning a summer road trip.

It’s most likely that your vehicle won’t need any work at all. Still, it’s always good to have the peace of mind that your vehicle is in good condition to take to the road. You’ll also be less likely to get stranded on the side of the road.

Check out more tips for preparing your car for a summer road trip here.

Need an inspection before a big trip? Are you passing through town and need some unexpected maintenance for your Lexus, Toyota, Infiniti, or Nissan? Call T3 Atlanta. Our friendly and skilled mechanics can help you get back on the road in no time at all.

You’ve probably heard that having your car properly aligned is a good thing. That can lead to questions like: What is an alignment all about? What does getting an alignment involve? How to know if you need a wheel alignment is pretty straightforward. But first, you need to understand what an alignment is and why it matters. Then, you’ll be ready to learn how to spot the signs of poor alignment.

What is a Car Alignment?

Despite what most people think, a car alignment has nothing to do with adjusting the tires or wheels. Instead, the alignment refers to how the suspension is adjusted, and how it makes the tire/wheel combination sit in relation to the road.

Without getting too technical, a mechanic checks three factors when measuring a car’s alignment: camber, toe, and caster. If any of these are off, it means the suspension must be adjusted to correct the situation. How that’s done depends on the exact configuration of your car’s suspension.

Why Car Alignment Matters

A car that isn’t properly aligned doesn’t perform at its best. Poor alignment means you don’t enjoy handling that is as crisp as normal. Your vehicle will ride more roughly, negatively impacting comfort even if the road is smooth as glass.

Improper alignment can cost you money over the long run. Tires are made to be used with the entire tread contacting the road. Sometimes, improper alignment can cause tires to sit more heavily on one side than the other. The end result? Your tires wear out unevenly and at a rapid rate.

Maintaining proper alignment costs less than having to get new tires more often.

Signs Your Car Needs an Alignment

As you’ve probably guessed by now, there are things you can watch for that indicate your car is out of alignment. Staying vigilant is a great way to catch any car problem early.

If you notice any of the following, have your vehicle checked out by a professional shop such as T3 Atlanta:

• The car is pulling in one direction. If you always need to be steering to the left or right because your car pulls in the opposite way, even when the road is perfectly flat, that’s a sign it’s out of alignment. You should be able to not have you hands on the steering wheel when the road is flat, at least for a moment, and not have the vehicle do anything but drive in a straight path.
• Crooked steering wheel. The logo on your car’s steering wheel needs to sit level when you’re just cruising down a straight stretch of road. If it sits tilted to one way or another, that can indicate poor alignment.
• Uneven tire wear. Perhaps the most common sign, this includes the inside or outside edge of your tires wearing out faster than the rest of the tread. If both edges are worn down faster than the middle of the tread, that’s a sign you don’t keep your tires properly inflated.
• Feathering. Run your hand across the tread on your tires. If it’s smooth on one side and ridged or sharp on the other, that’s called feathering. While subtle, this can be a sign of improper alignment.
• Sloppy steering. If you find that you’re struggling to steer your car and you have power steering, that can be caused by poor alignment. The treads on your tires help provide grip, so if that isn’t being used fully, the consequence is poor steering.
• Squealing. When your car isn’t properly aligned, the askew nature of the tires can cause them to squeal. That should always be alarming if you’re not involved in action movie chase scene, and you should have that checked out to be sure of the cause.

Fortunately, getting your car aligned isn’t a long or expensive process, making it completely worth addressing when you notice these signs.

Driving can be an enjoyable experience, but in a flash, it can turn scary. One of the most horrifying events is when your car hydroplanes. Despite what some people might think, you can actually do something about the situation, instead of just waiting for it to play out and dealing with the consequences. To learn how to control a hydroplaning car, you must understand what causes it. With that knowledge, correcting the problem is simple.

Causes of Hydroplaning

When being honest, most people will ask: what is hydroplaning? Simply put, hydroplaning is when water that has accumulated on the road is high enough that it sits between your tires and the actual road surface. In other words, the rubber is no longer touching pavement, and the car is essentially skipping along.

This situation is dangerous because hydroplaning means your tires have zero traction. Without traction, you can’t really steer, brake, accelerate, or have much control of your car.

Three factors determine the risk of hydroplaning:

• Your speed
• The depth of your tire tread
• The depth of the standing water on the road

Your tires are designed with channels in the tread that push water out to the edges. This is so the tread contacts relatively dry pavement while the water is constantly funneled away. How much water can cause hydroplaning really depends on the tire. Too much water will overwhelm any tire, no matter how deep the tread. The quicker the car is moving, the less time the tread has to push the water out of the way.

How to Prevent Hydroplaning

Can hydroplaning be prevented? To an extent, yes, but even the most careful driver can experience this situation.

One of the biggest factors that affects hydroplaning is your tires. You should keep them properly inflated at all times. Tires that have too little air pressure don’t have their entire tread touching the road surface. That means whatever liquid channels that are built into the tread might not function as designed, or maybe at all.

The same idea goes for tires that are worn down. Tread patterns that are shallow can’t channel nearly as much water as fresh tires, so you’re more likely to hydroplane.

If it’s raining, or for some other reason you see water on the road, slow down. Don’t slam on the brakes, but do cut your speed significantly. Keep steering wheel movements gradual and not sudden.

Some people say never to use cruise control during a rainstorm. While cruise control might not cause you to hydroplane, it’s still a risk factor. If you have the setting too high for the conditions, you might accelerate when you should be slowing down, because the cruise control system doesn’t adjust to environmental factors. Also, if a situation occurs that requires you to quickly hit the brakes to turn off cruise control, such as another driver pulling out in front of you suddenly, you could lose control.

How to Control a Hydroplaning Car

Knowing what to do if your car hydroplanes is good knowledge to have in the event that this situation ever arises. If you know how to control a hydroplaning car, you can act without hesitation, and get yourself out of the dangerous situation.

1. First off, you shouldn’t panic if your car starts to hydroplane.
2. The next step involves you taking your foot off the accelerator so the car slows. Press on the brake pedal slightly, because jabbing the pedal will make the hydroplaning worse.
3. Avoid jerking the steering wheel. Use slow and gradual movements. Even though it might seem counter-intuitive, turn in the direction that the car is moving. Fighting against the natural motion will make regaining control that much harder.

It might take a moment or two, but eventually doing these things will put you back in control of how your car moves. If you panic and start jerking the wheel around or braking suddenly, the experience could end with a collision and worse.

After hydroplaning, practice extreme caution for the rest of that drive since the conditions are conducive to hydroplaning. Slow down, be aware of your surroundings, and get to your destination safely!

As the cold of winter starts to disappear, everyone’s thoughts turn to summertime activities. Vacations are a time-honored tradition for families, but the last thing you want is for your plans to take a wrong turn because of car trouble. The following tips will help with preparing your car for a summer road trip, so you have a fun, safe, and enjoyable time.

Maintenance

Preparing your car for a summer road trip starts with addressing the most important elements on your vehicle. After surviving the brutalities of winter, your car needs some attention. These vehicle maintenance tips for summer driving address dormant problems before they become big issues and leave you stranded or worse.

The changing temperatures can play havoc with your tire pressure. Check the manufacturer’s recommended inflation levels on the driver’s door jamb, them use a gauge to see if your tires need any refilling. Low tires wear out the sides of the tread faster, and they’re more prone to blowing out as you travel down the highway for hours at a time. Overfilled tires aren’t good, either, because they wear out the center of the tread prematurely.

Before you hit the open road, check all fluid levels and top off anything that’s low. You want to pay especially close attention to the coolant level, because hotter temperatures and not enough coolant can cause your engine to overheat. Also, have your oil changed if you’re near the recommended interval.

The cold temperatures can also be especially hard on anything rubber. With the engine cold, squeeze each of the hoses in the engine compartment. If any feel brittle, or you see cracks, replace them before heading out on your trip. Check the belts as well for signs of cracking or fraying.

Your wiper blades can also wear out. If they’re streaking at all, trying cleaning them thoroughly with a soft cloth. If the streaking continues, replace them as well.

Pack a Survival Kit

Most people think of winter when you mention survival kits, but kits for summer are just as important. A road trip survival kit for families can be the difference between being stranded without vital supplies, or being ready for the worst. Preparing your car for a summer road trip will help you tackle whatever might happen!

One of the most important items you should have is water. Put at least a gallon of water in the kit, or two if you can. Water, of course, is great for keeping you hydrated. It also comes in handy if your engine starts to overheat, because you can pour water into the coolant overflow reservoir. If you do decide to open the coolant reservoir, do so with extreme caution, only after the engine has cooled some, so you don’t get burned.

You should also have sunscreen and bug repellant in your kit. If you do become stranded and must spend time outside, you must be equipped for the conditions. It’s not a bad idea to have an umbrella or poncho, because those can be used to shield yourself from the intense sun. Also, have at least one blanket. While it might be hot during the daytime, some areas cool off considerably at night, especially if you’re traveling through any mountain passes.

Some of the things you should have in your summer survival kit are items you might already use in a kit for other times of the year. Pack extra, nonperishable food, so you can keep up your strength if you’re stranded. Bring along first aid supplies like bandages, just in case anyone is injured.

Always have some basic tools with you. While it’s not the most pleasant thought, your car could have mechanical trouble in a spot where phone service isn’t available. Instead of being at the mercy of other people passing by, have on hand flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, a small hammer, needle nose pliers and other tools. Pack some duct tape, which is a great way to temporarily patch damaged parts until you can get to help. It’s also a good idea to have a pair of gloves, so you don’t burn your hands or cut yourself while making any repairs.

Preparing Your Car for a Summer Road Trip at T3 Atlanta

Summer road trips are a lot of fun, especially if everything goes off without a hitch. If you head out prepared, you can have some peace of mind, knowing that if anything does happen, you can handle the situation.

If you’d prefer professional help to make sure your car is in top shape, visit T3 Atlanta. We’ll help make sure that your car is ready for the road this summer.

You’ve probably heard of car emergency kits, but have questions about them. The most common is what to have in an emergency car kit? While there are no absolutes, some items will prove to be more useful or valuable in common roadside emergencies.

What to Have in a Car Emergency Kit

The following list includes the basic items for a kit. You can add to it as you see fit, such as tire chains for snowy conditions, but be sure to have at least these things.

• Flashlight: This is essential if you’re stranded in the dark, and so should absolutely be part of your car emergency kit contents. Sure, you could use your phone, but you’re also draining the battery, putting your ability to call for help in jeopardy. These days, there are plenty of compact, powerful and affordable flashlights on the market.
• First aid kit: While unfortunate, someone could be injured in the event of an accident or trip and fall. Even if you cut yourself while trying to fix something, having some bandages, rubbing alcohol, and gauze will help prevent infection.
• Blanket: Surprisingly versatile, you can use a blanket to stay warm, create a shelter, treat someone for shock, or even cushion your knees while you make a repair. When choosing the size and thickness of a blanket, remember it’s always best to overestimate what you’ll need.
• Water: There are many uses for water, making it especially valuable to have on hand. You can drink it or in a pinch to rinse out a wound. Water can also help with an overheating car. You can also rinse off corrosion from car parts easily. You can even use it to wash off your hands after making unexpected car repairs.
• Basic tools: You don’t have to bring every tool you own, but a small, basic tool kit is handy if you need to tighten a hose clamp, secure a bolt, etc. Make sure it has at least Phillips and flat head screwdrivers, as well as a Torx screwdriver since many car parts are compatible with those these days. Some needle nose pliers, a crescent wrench, gloves and similar items are helpful, too.
• Duct tape: No, this isn’t to patch your pants in a pinch, but you can use it to patch up hoses or other broken or torn items on your car. Duct tape is tough and can withstand high temperatures, so having it on hand is always a good thing.
• Flares/safety triangle/vest: You need to stay visible when on the side of the road. Flares are great for when it’s dark, while a foldable and reflective triangle as well as a reflective safety vest help other drivers see and avoid you.

Knowing what to have in an an emergency car kit can keep you safe when the unexpected happens. Even better, most of these items are small and won’t take up a lot of room in your trunk.

Staying Safe on the Side of the Road

Visibility brings up another issue. If you’re stranded on the side of the road, especially at night, it can be hard for motorists to see you.
There are some things you can do to reduce the chance of a serious incident.

First of all, if you’re on the highway, exit it if at all possible. The sheer speed of travel makes being on the shoulder incredibly dangerous. If you can’t get to an exit ramp, pull over as far as you can. Always turn on your hazard lights so people realize you’re not moving. If you’re on the side of the road, the safest place to be is in your car, where a reinforced cage and airbags can protect you.

When you’re stuck on the side of the highway and the weather is bad, you’ll need to stay warm while you wait for help. Keep your doors closed and only run the heater, if your car will turn on, about ten minutes every hour as a way to conserve fuel.

In the event your car has slid off the road and is damaged, you might want to find a secure spot to wait for help. It’s possible the fuel lines on your vehicle are ruptured, posing a serious fire risk. Take to higher ground, preferably behind a barrier or a tree, to guard yourself from other vehicles.

Who to Call in Atlanta for Roadside Assistance

The first thing you want to do after ensuring you’re in secure spot is call on your phone for help. Atlanta has a service called HERO, which is run by the Georgia DOT Transportation Management Center. Just dial 511 on your phone for assistance. Know that the HERO service doesn’t include a tow truck, so you’ll have to call for one separately.

When a tow truck arrives, remember to tell the driver to take your vehicle to T3 Atlanta. We’ll help you figure out what’s wrong with your car, and get it working properly again.

Even though Atlanta doesn’t see the same kinds of winter conditions as other parts of the country, you still need to be prepared. Having some solid winter driving safety tips on hand could save you some hassle, and maybe even from a serious accident.

Winter weather driving shouldn’t be considered lightly. Hopping in your car and just going on your way like everything is normal not only is foolish, it’s downright dangerous. You must change your driving habits in bad weather, plus take some extra precautions, otherwise you’re flirting with disaster.

Tips for Driving on Ice

The biggest thing you need to contend with during the winter here is ice. Driving on ice safely is possible, but you need to be prepared and armed with solid information. First, realize you cannot stop quickly, so speed up and slow down gradually. You should also go under the speed limit, which was set with dry conditions in mind.

If it’s possible, you should try to not stop at all, but instead coast to red lights with the hope they will change to green before you arrive.

Avoiding hills is a good idea, but if you have to go up them you cannot slam on the accelerator. Instead, keep your speed consistent. Also, never stop on a hill, because your risk of sliding increases dramatically.

If you do slide, don’t panic. The natural tendency is to steer the wheels in the opposite direction you’re sliding. You should actually point the wheels toward where you’re sliding, letting the tire tread “bite” into the ice so you regain traction and stop. This is completely counter-intuitive thing to do, but it could save you from an accident.

Of course, the safest way to deal with ice on the roads is to stay home. You might need to go to work, but limit how many other places you travel. This is the single best way to stay safe.

Keep Your Vehicle on its Maintenance Schedule

When it comes to winter driving safety tips, you may be thinking about the drive itself. In fact, maintaining your vehicle is a good move, whether you’re staying in town or plan on venturing out onto the open road. Driving in the winter brings with it some special considerations. You need good wiper blades so you don’t risk not being able to see. If yours leave streaks on the glass, it’s time to get them replaced.

Your tires need to have plenty of tread, and should be inflated properly. All your car’s fluids need to be kept at ideal levels, or you could have serious problems. The battery terminals should be free of corrosion, otherwise you risk the engine not starting.

Plan Ahead: Winter Safety Driving Tips

If you have to go out, always plan on trips taking longer. This means you should leave sooner so you’re not tempted to speed.

Keep your headlights on when the sky is overcast, that way you’re more visible to other drivers.

Before starting off, always clear any snow or ice off your vehicle. Keep an ice scraper somewhere inside your vehicle, so you can clear it completely as needed. If you cannot see out of the windows, the risk of hitting another car or a person skyrockets. Also, always check that the tailpipe is free of ice, slush or other debris before you get going, or else you risk carbon monoxide entering the cabin.

Before hitting the open road for a long trip in the winter, pack an emergency kit. It should have food, water, blankets, lights and first aid supplies. Always look up the weather reports for the path you’ve planned, and tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to arrive. Pack some snow chains, because you might run into heavy winter conditions in some areas. There could be situations where the local authorities require chains for you to drive on the road, making having them valuable.

When you’re out on the road, try to keep your gas tank above the halfway mark. If you do happen to get caught in some especially bad weather, the extra fuel will help you keep the engine and heater running.

Absolutely do not use cruise control is the road is slick. The car can’t make necessary adjustments if there’s trouble, which is why you should be in control at all times.

Driving in winter weather is always a challenge, no matter how much experience you have. These winter driving safety tips are preventative steps you can take to help you stay safe when you’re behind the wheel.