Holy Week 2018 car care maintenance and driving tips

It’s that time of the year again guys and gals, so before heading out for the long weekend sojourn for some quality time with the family (hopefully without forgetting the essence of Holy Week), here are some tips to keep in mind before driving out.

1. Make sure your car is in tip-top shape.

Have your car serviced. Check and top up or replace all fluids as needed (engine oil, brake/clutch/power steering, coolant and gear oil/automatic transmission fluid).

Check your underchassis for any loose, worn or rusted parts, and check your tires’ condition.

Also make sure that all your vehicle lights are functioning (headlights, tail lights, brake lights and signal lights), and your wipers work properly.

Yes, it’s summer, but we’ve been getting the odd rain showers of late, so best be prepared.

2. More on the tires

Now is a good time to inspect their condition, rotate front to back (in an X-pattern to ensure even wear), and perform a 4-wheel alignment where applicable so you get a good handling, responsive car that won’t be tiring to drive on long stints.

Lastly, check the condition of your spare tire, particularly that it isn’t flat, cracked or well past its sell-by date. You never know if you’ll need to use it.

Air up all your tires to at least the specified pressure (which can be usually found on your fuel filler flap, the driver’s side door, or door frame).

3. Have your air-conditioning system serviced.

Replace the cabin panel filter/s, and clean the various air-conditioning parts via a professional shop.

A properly functioning a/c system will be less stressful on your engine, and help mitigate possible over-heating.

4. Make sure you have the following in your car:

– complete set of hand tools
– complete set of working jack and tire wrench
– jumper wires, especially if you’re driving as a group of cars
– high-speed USB charger for mobile phones
– a map for when there is no mobile signal to your destination
– early-warning device/reflectors
– a flashlight
– 5-gallon bottle of distilled water for both drinking and filling up the engine’s cooling system and windshield washer reservoir.

5. Also, it’s a good idea to make sure your car’s LTO registration is current and valid.

The PNP-HPG will set up check points along the way, and in the off-chance that they stop you, they might require proof of ownership.

The same can be said for your driver’s license.

6. Wear comfortable, breathable clothes for driving.

Thin-soled shoes, loafers or sneakers, stretchy pants, dri-fit shirts are recommended.

Now that your car’s ready, here are some pre-trip tips:

1. Plan your trip properly and thoroughly.

It will be traffic, it will be chaotic out there especially on Maundy Thursday morning heading out, and Easter Sunday evening getting back to Metro Manila, or wherever home is.

2. Schedule your actual departure time.

Off-peak is best, either early morning or late at night. Be extra careful when choosing night time driving.

3. Rest well, sleep well prior to long-drives.

A sleepy driver is an accident waiting to happen.

4. Schedule your stops for fuel, food and toilet breaks.

This helps break down your long drive into smaller segments which can help make the trip more bearable, especially to kids.

5. Schedule your driver changes.

If applicable, do it so everyone gets ample rest while on the trip.

6. Load up on mobile phone load and also on electronic toll credit.

You can save as much as 15 minutes per toll stop by using the ETC (electronic toll collection) lane, thereby speeding up travel time.

Now that you’re ready to drive, here are some reminders:

1. Safety is of paramount importance.

Drive within your lane, don’t hog the inner-most lane, and drive at a speed that’s comparable to the other cars around you, with no more than a +/-10 km/h overall speed differential.

Any slower, you become an obstacle for other drivers. Any faster, you pose as an unpredictable threat to other motorists.

2. Avoid weaving in and out of your lane.

Use the signal light even when changing lanes, and give due allowance. Remember every one has the right of way (in their minds), so yield it just to be safe.

3. Stop every 60-90 minutes for a quick drink, toilet break, and stretching.

If you feel cramped, the strain on your other body parts will lessen your focus on driving.

4. Wear driving glasses to help reduce glare on your eyes.

5. Don’t rush.

Haste makes waste, and causes accidents. Slowly but surely does it best. Better to arrive late to your destination, or not to arrive at all.

Driving out of town during the Holy Week break can be stressful, tiring and frustrating. But with careful planning and attention to detail, we can minimize risk, and make the journey more enjoyable and stress-free.