It's that time of year again here in New England. We've traded in the sandals for snow boots and t-shirts for sweaters. It's also a busy time for travel. According to a recent statement by the New England arm of AAA "Over 93 million Americans will trek 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays, a 1.6 percent increase over last year."
If you are one of the lucky few (notice the slight sarcasm there!) who will be leaving Boston to visit your friends or family, we've compiled a list of some handy travel tips to help make sure it's smooth sailing across the Mass Pike (and beyond)!
Check your fluids If you've recently had your car or SUV serviced, chances are good that you're in the clear, but if it has been some time since that last oil change or tune-up, be sure to check your oil level, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Don't forget to check your oil on a level surface and make sure you use windshield washer fluid that is good for temperatures below freezing - most of the fluid sold around New England is, but it never hurts to double check!
Check your tire pressure All newer cars made after 2006/2007 have systems to inform you if one or more of your tires is low on air, but not all systems will notify you if ALL your tires are low. In the colder weather it is normal for tires to lose a few pounds of pressure, this can result in reduced gas mileage and it can impact handling. If you don't have a tire pressure gauge, now is a good time to pick one up! They can be purchased at your local auto parts store, retailer (Target/Walmart) or online for less than $10.
Leave more time than you think you need There will be many travelers like yourself on the road this holiday season - and everyone is in a rush! By giving yourself more time, you won't sweat the small stuff, like a minor backup or unexpected bathroom break. Trust us: an extra 20 minutes per hour of travel goes a long way in keeping the road rage at bay!
Have multiple sources for directions These days, chances are good you'll be plugging your designation into a GPS. But what if it dies? Or malfunctions? It's good to have a backup set of directions, especially if you're traveling some place you've never been before.
We at MetroWest Subaru hope you find these travel tips helpful and we wish nothing but open freeways and green lights for all those traveling this holiday season!
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