The freedom and flexibility of going on a road trip is unmatched. It allows you to escape daily routines, explore new places at your own pace, and create unforgettable memories with friends and family. If you’re a woman travelling independently or with a group, it is essential that you know how to look after your car while on the road. Here are five top skills that will stand you in good stead as you embark on your first road trip.
Before and during your road trip, check the engine oil levels, coolant levels and brake fluid levels of the car regularly. This will keep you up-to-date with how the car is faring and whether you need to top up the levels at a local auto shop.
This also goes for checking the car’s battery. It’s easier (and cheaper) to check and replace your battery beforehand than it is to call a tow truck and buy a new battery because your car broke down.
You don’t need to learn how to do everything for your car, but knowing basic maintenance skills is crucial. Learn how to change a tyre and assess tyre pressure, practice replacing the washer fluid of your windscreen wipers, find out the right way to jumpstart your car, and know when to replace the air filters, among other skills. Practice these things prior to your road trip so that you have them down pat during the journey.
Pack an emergency kit prior to your road trip as it will come in handy if something unexpected occurs during your journey. Essential items include a torch, phone charger, water bottles, Band-Aids, antiseptic swabs, ointments, as well as maintenance items like a stepney, jack and extra tyre. Aside from this, a fire extinguisher, gloves, a windproof jacket, duct tapes and a tyre sealant can all aid in roadside emergencies.
It’s a good idea to know how to use a navigation app during your road trip. On Google Maps, for instance, you can plot multiple locations from your starting point, activate voice commands to ask questions and change locations so that you don’t have to pull over and use your phone, download an offline version that works in places with little to no phone connectivity, find accessible transit routes and locations for those who have a physical disability, share your location with loved ones, request fuel-efficient routes, locate electric vehicle charging points, and more. Most of these features are also available on Apple Maps, Waze and Here WeGo.
Whether you write it down on paper or use the Notes app on your smartphone, prepare a list of emergency numbers for your destination and the places along the way. This will include the phone numbers of the police, ambulance services, three to four automotive shops, hospitals, highway emergency numbers, and so on. Keep the list updated.