THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW
LABOR DAY WEEKEND EDITION
Labor Day Weekend is officially the last road trip weekend of the summer season and many drivers neglect some pretty important items that they should always bring with them when hitting the road. These recommendations will keep you moving and help out in case of a breakdown.
I recommend stocking up on the following must have-items before hitting the road one last time this summer:
1. Jumper cables (don’t buy the cheap ones): Your best choice is to buy jumper cables and a power source that will permit you to jumpstart your battery without another vehicle. Regular jumper cables require two cars. If you have your own power source, you’ll be able to quickly start your car without help. There’s nothing worse than stopping for a meal or hotel stay and leaving your lights on only to be stranded afterward in the middle of nowhere.
2. Tire Inflation Product: Since most flat tires occur due to a slow leak or a small item such as a nail or screw, most tire inflation products can seal effectively seal them quickly. Make sure the tire inflation product is Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) safe, such as Fix-A-Flat and Slime. These products will get you on your way in a matter of minutes and are much safer to use than changing your own tire or waiting on the side of the road for hours for an auto service club to arrive.
3. Bottled Water and Protein Bars: Imagine breaking down on a hot, desolate highway with two kids in the car, no cell service and no air-conditioning. It could be a while before anyone stops to help so be sure to feed and hydrate the family with healthy protein bars and bottled water. It’s so simple but hardly anyone does this.
4. LED Flare: There is no chance of getting burned by one of these and they’re just as effective at letting emergency personnel you need help from up to half a mile away. They are definitely more effective than trying to flag down a state trooper as it passes by.
5. Extra Washer Fluid: Have you driven in the south in the summer? Your car can end up looking like an entomologist’s nightmare. Worse yet, the creepy crawly critters end up stuck to your windshield as you’re driving, creating blind spots and distractions. A simple spray of the washer fluid should do the trick but not if you just ran out. Carry an extra bottle.
Do you have any road trip tips to share?
My Final Thought:
Ford built its 350 millionth car today! https://twitter.com/Lebeaucarnews/status/241520108206428160
Congrats Ford! That’s quite an accomplishment!
To put this in perspective, this number is the equivalent to every man, woman and child in the U.S. plus an additional 39 million or roughly the population of California.
Here’s to another 350 million, Ford—keep up the good work!
Love your car! See you next week!
--Lauren Fix
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