With
the holiday season upon us, many Americans are stretching their dollars
to make a trip home for the holidays. While driving is the thrifty
option, unexpected vehicle repairs can bust your budget this time of
year. Motorists planning a road trip over the holidays should follow the
three Ps – prepare, prevent and plan – to save money and avoid
breakdowns.
- Conduct a pre-trip vehicle inspection. If you find your vehicle needs repairs, be sure to address them in a timely manner so they can be performed by a trusted technician before your journey. While it may be tempting to put off repairs until after the holidays, it is not worth the risk and added expense of more extensive work down the road.
- The last thing any driver needs is to break down in cold, harsh winter weather. A pre-winter vehicle check is a sensible way to avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold as well as costly emergency towing and repairs.
- Before traveling longer distances, plan your route and review the council’s steps to better fuel economyto maximize savings at the pump. Pack a road emergency kit, including jumper cables, a road atlas, first-aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, water, non-perishable food and blankets, and be sure your cell phone is fully charged.
Taking
proactive steps to prepare, prevent and plan in advance of your holiday
road trip will help you avoid the hassle and expense of unplanned car
trouble away from home.
