Travel Tips For Safety….Let’s Go!

September 24…Today would have been my Dad’s birthday…He reared  me, taught me about cars and numbers. Love you Daddy. I was your trooper. Now, I am your traveler.

It has been a good day. I put power steering fluid in my car. It’s time to share a post  safety checks for traveling alone.  If you drive a car, these checks should be part of your routine.

Only taking short trips?  Do these checks at least once each month.

5,000 miles ago, the service department suggested I have my power steering unit replaced.  It was close to $400.00 and my car was performing nicely. I decided to wait, save for the repair and in the meantime watch the fluid level.

Since then, I have added a little power steering fluid.  Note I said a little.  It cost 3.25 cents and because I had always done the checks I am going to share I had put some in about 8 months before they suggested I replace the unit.  Apparently a little is blowing out when I drive. Over 12,000 miles have rolled since I first noticed it.  Usually, I have a repair done as soon as I know it is needed.  Watching pennies, it seemed a wise choice to wait.

This post is not to influence you to ignore service request. It is great to be aware of a potential bill in the future and to be safe for now.

Learn to listen for different sounds in your car.  A whining, could indicate you need power steering fluid.  Screeching, may be your brakes need attention.  A hard shift in the first couple of minutes, may be your transmission calling you. Always check your gauges on the dashboard of your car.  Hear a popping noise when you back up?  Your universal joints may need attention.

Do an open hood walk around.  I have been to many service places dealerships for my Dodge and they have constantly dodged the important parts for my car. I like my car.  I do not like the service I have received for it.

You have AAA or roadside service?  Great, so do I but I don’t want to be sitting beside the road where phone service is choppy and the weather is either a gusher of water or 95 degrees and humid. So, I do my own preventative maintenance. I suggest you do the same.

There is a lever under your steering wheel to release your hood.  Then in the center of your car feel for the latch and move it until you hear the release and raise your hood.  A thin rod to hold the hood up is in the front.

Walk around. Your manual will note checkpoints are painted yellow.  I am including pictures for you.

 My power steering fluid was low this morning and my car just made a whining noise when I turned the wheel.  I stopped at auto zone and got power steering fluid.Take the cap off. A little stick gauge is attached with a note to add fluid if it is below the line.  I added fluid, waited and it went down a bit. Next I checked the gauge again and added a little more being careful not to overfill.

Windshield fluid   –  Okay

Oil  –  full according to the oil stick

The stick to check the oil is in one place and the place to add oil in another.

Next I did a walk around to check my lights… pushing the button to unlock my doors.. I pushed the button so I could confirm all my lights were working.  Look what I found!

See the little broken piece. 

A local  mechanics estimate was  $293.00 to replace the entire unit. That too will wait. My lights work just fine.  If I replace the entire unit, I will have to do the other side as well.  Otherwise, one headlight will be clear and beautiful and the other one has a yellow haze.

Amazon has one for less than $150. If I find someone who will do the labor for $100.00, I will be happy!  I choose carefully my expenditures for the car.  The savings are applied to travel.

Tire gauge…I don’t check my tires a lot as they are pretty new. Out of habit,  I always look before I drive  to confirm they are all inflated. I keep a tire gauge in my glove box to verify if one appears to be  low.  You can find the amount of suggested tire pressure on a label inside the door of your car.

Get rear ended?  Car won’t start? Most likely you have an emergency button inside the trunk  and near the lock for accidents like this.  It makes the engine stop to lessen the likelihood of your vehicle catching on fire.  If you find and push the button, your car may start.

Carrying a tire gauge, a gallon of water, paper towels…and window cleaner seems to be necessary gear for your car.  While you are filling the car kit, add some crackers, canned meat, a flashlight and a light blanket. You are prepared for a trip. For Christmas gifts I will give family members a little car survival kit including a notebook .

Because I travel to different states and places, I keep an emergency notebook in the trunk.  It contains insurance information (medical) copies of the credit cards or other information usually found in my purse.  I like knowing information is in two places in the event I misplace my purse.

Let me know if I have left anything out!  Safe Travels!.

Go forth and Prosper,

Travel Safe…..Molinda Sue