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Vehicle Maintenance for Your Family Holiday Trip

12/24/2020
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The holidays are approaching again, although many of us wish we had just a bit more time. Since we don’t, here are some tips for ensuring that your travel vehicle is in good condition, thereby avoiding any automobile-related problems that could potentially ruin your carefully planned holiday travel.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has found that more people travel on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving than travel on Thanksgiving Day. And as usual following the holiday, travelers were fairly distributed between the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Nonetheless, people who travel by vehicle to destinations between 50 and 99 miles away are more likely to travel on Thursday morning, and most of those same travelers will return home on Saturday.

Christmas and New Year’s are somewhat different. Thanksgiving has a dependable day, which is a Thursday. But Christmas and New Year’s may fall on any day of the week, changing every year. This year, Christmas falls on a Friday, which means that holiday travelers are likely to be spread throughout the weekdays leading up to Christmas. Unfortunately, you can expect the drive or flight home on Sunday to be especially slow, although the impact of COVID-19 is yet to be determined.

Despite your best efforts, if you have been injured in an automobile accident, contact a Florida auto accident attorney at Searcy Denney for a free consultation.

Vehicle Maintenance Tips for the Holidays

Most people knowledgeable in the automotive field agree that there are three significant steps to take to prepare for holiday travel:

  1. Oil Change. Your vehicle runs on oil just as it runs on gasoline. Clean, high-grade motor oil is essential for helping your engine run smoothly. It is recommended that you change your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. Waiting longer can negatively impact your vehicle, potentially resulting in engine build-up and sludge, which slows down your engine’s performance in the short run and can lead to significant damage in the long run.
  2. Brake Repair. Put simply, your brakes will save your life. If you notice your brakes starting to feel squishy, or if you’re able to push the pedal to the floor, it’s time to get your brakes checked out by your local repair shop. With the added traffic on the road during the holidays, the importance of your brakes only becomes more critical.
  3. Tire Services. The final piece in the trinity of critical auto maintenance is your tires. When the weather gets cold, you’re more likely to run into icy roads and adverse weather conditions that can make driving even more dangerous. It’s critical to make sure that the tire pressure for all tires is correct, that your wheels are properly aligned, and that you have adequate tread left on your tires to help them grip the road efficiently.

Some other important auto parts to double-check include:

  • Transmission fluid
  • Windshield wipers
  • Windshield wiper fluid
  • Headlights
  • Taillights
  • Brake lights
  • Turn signals
  • The interior of all windows
  • Rearview mirrors
  • Belts
  • Battery
  • Lines and hoses
  • Oil and air filters

Contact a Florida Auto Accident Attorney for More Information

The holidays can be very dangerous for drivers, even in sunny Florida. If you or a loved one is involved in an accident over the holidays, contact a Florida auto accident attorney at Searcy Denney. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. If you need our help, contact us online today.

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