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Packing for a Road Trip

July 6, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The chances are that you are planning on going on a road trip or you are about to embark on one and have thus stumbled on this article. Packing for a road trip isn’t something that should give you a headache, although when you don’t know where to start, it very well can.

 

Here are a few tips for what you should always bring with you the next time you are planning a weekend getaway with your friends and family members. The better prepared you are, the more at ease you will be when the time finally comes to depart for your trip. Continue reading for more information.

 

The music playlist

A good road trip simply isn’t complete without the perfect music playlist. You and your road trip companions should compile a playlist beforehand that you can then play during this road trip.

 

Getting the right snacks

Snacks are always a necessity, especially when you know that you will be driving for a more extended period of time. The question is, what type of snacks should you bring?

 

Food is fuel for your body, and you need it to maintain your energy. It’s always in your best interest to bring with you healthy and nutritional snacks. One such example is Bob’s Red Mill nutrition bars, and there are countless different flavors that you can choose from, depending on you and your family’s preference.

 

Ensure that you have your essentials in the trunk

Depending on how long you are going and where you plan on driving to in the first place, you should always ensure that all of your trip essentials are placed in the trunk of your car. This is something that you should have also packed well in advance, as well.

 

Pillows and blankets

Sleep is always critical for any road trip, and there may be moments where the passengers will want to fall asleep for a few hours. This is exactly why you should have some pillows and blankets that you can keep in the back of the car until you need them.

You might even decide to pull over somewhere so that everyone in the car can take a nap, including the driver, in which case the pillows will become even handier!

 

First aid kit

You never know what could happen and where, and that is why a first aid kit is always essential to bring along to any trip, regardless of the duration or how you are getting there.

 

Water bottle

Staying hydrated is just as important as having food and other snacks for the trip. Everyone should have a portable water bottle that they have invested in and that they can bring with them on this trip. This will not only come in useful for the road trip but for day-to-day life as well.

 

Follow these tips, and you will feel more prepared than ever before for your upcoming road trip. Plus, you will now know exactly what to do for your next trip with friends or family members as well!

Filed Under: fatherhood Tagged With: car trip, family vacation, father, fatherhood, packing for a road trip, road trip, road trip car preparation, vacation

How to Prepare Your Car for a Long Road Trip

August 17, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Are you planning a road trip this summer? Will you be taking your own car? If your car is used mostly for short trips, you need to pay extra attention to a few certain things. Before you hit the road, read the following tips on how to prepare your car for a long journey. It covers some of the basics you can check yourself. For more major items such as the brakes and suspension, you’ll need to have them inspected by a trustworthy mechanic in a garage. Give yourself plenty of time for all the checks, because you may need to have some things done. Ask in your local garage whether they offer a maintenance package that includes oil change, tire rotation, and mechanical inspection. That way you’ve got everything covered. Long journeys in the car can be very tedious, especially if you’re traveling with young children. However, breaking down or having problems with your car will make the journey even more tiresome. Make sure you do your pre-flight checks, and you’ll be able to drive away feeling secure in the knowledge that your vehicle is safe.

Make Sure You’ve Got the Car Owner’s Manual

Do you carry your car owner’s manual with you wherever you go, or is it something you keep filed safely at home? It’s a good idea to keep it in the glove box, in case you need to refer to it on your journey. In it will be useful information such as how to change a flat tire, where the jack is, how to top up the engine oil and any other fluids. There will also be specifications that may come in handy should you break down. If you haven’t got one, it’s easy to download one online.

Checks to Make Under the Hood

There are a number of different checks you can make at home, without having to pay at the garage. The first thing to do is check the engine oil. This should be something you check on a regular basis anyway. However, there’s nothing wrong with double checking before you make a long journey. Park your car where it is level and allow the engine to warm up a little. Stop the engine and then wait a few minutes for the oil to drain. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean before inserting it fully and then pulling it out again. The ideal level will be close to the full mark on the dipstick. While you’re checking the level, you can also look at the color of the oil. If it’s looking rather black, you need to consider changing it.

Your transmission fluid can also be checked in the same way. If the color of the fluid is rather dark, rather than the red or pinkish color, it is when it’s fresh, you should change it.

Check the car’s battery for any leaks, cracks or damage. If you see any, it should be replaced. The terminals should be clean and not corroded. They should also be done up tight.

The air filter in your car is something that gets replaced regularly, but it’s a good idea to check it before a road trip. If your air filter is dirty, it will result in a lack of power. There will be instructions in your owner’s manual on how to change it, or you can take it to a garage.

Other items to check under the hood include:

  • Brake fluid levels
  • Power steering fluid
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • Leaks
  • Loose clamps
  • Kinked hoses

Check the Lights and Other Electrical Equipment  

You might not be planning to drive at night, but you do need to make sure all the drive lights are working, as well as the stop and turn lights. Check the horn, wipers, heater and air conditioner.

If you haven’t had your air conditioning cleaned for a while, you might need to change the cabin air filter. These can get clogged over time and will restrict the air flow to the cabin of the car.

If your windshield wipers aren’t cleaning the windshield properly, replace the rubbers. They don’t cost very much and can be found at any local parts department.

In your owner’s manual will be the recommended tire pressures for your car. Make sure yours are correct because driving on underinflated tires will affect the fuel consumption of your car. 

Checks to Make on the Morning of Your Road Trip 

One important thing to do before you set off on the highway is to clean your windscreen. You do it like this. You may have already checked things such as the lights, fluid levels, tires, and wipers, but spending just a few minutes before you hit the road will be worth it. It’s important your stop lights, and drive lights are working, and your windshield wipers are in working order. You never know when you’ll need them. Walk around the outside of your car and check the tires, including the tread. Look for bald spots and whether any canvas has worn through.

Don’t Forget About Insurance Cover

This may seem like a silly thing to check, but are you certain you’re covered for a long road trip? Is there still enough time left on the cover for your return trip? Driving on the highway without the correct level of cover is not the most sensible thing to do. What if you have an accident? What if you’re pulled over by a law officer? If you’re going to be driving for days on end, you might want to think about travel insurance to cover any valuable possessions you’re taking with you. Good travel insurance cover will also include trip cancellation, interruption, travel delays and travel accident. Returning your vehicle to your home if you’re hospitalized or injured can also be included.

Taking the above precautions will reduce the chance of something going wrong and ruining your journey. There’s no way you can be 100% certain nothing will happen. However, taking a few simple steps and making sure your car is in good working order will mean your road trip will be one that creates good memories rather than bad.      

Filed Under: fatherhood, travel Tagged With: car, cars, prepare car, road trip, road trip car preparation

5 Tips To Getting Ready For A Road Trip & Being Green Too! #EarthDayDriveAway

March 21, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

5 Tips To Getting Ready For A Road Trip & Being Green Too!“This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EarthDayDriveAway #CollectiveBias”

We have some road trips that are coming up soon for spring break and also over the summer. Anytime that my family decides to go on a road trip there are specific things that I tend to do to be able to make sure that everything is ready. Not only do we have to get the family ready, packing everything that we need and making sure that we bring everything that is needed so we don’t have to go and buy things while we are traveling. On top of this though I also make sure that my car is in tip-top shape so that we don’t have any unforeseen breakdowns that could be avoided. As a part of getting my car ready, I do want to do things that will sustain my car and the environment as these are both important to me too.

Below you will see 5 tips that I want to share with all of you in regards to getting ready for a road trip. I hope that they help you as you plan your next road trip.

 Walmart Auto Center Walmart Auto Center

1.Bring your car in for a tune-up

Make sure that your car is in the grass shaped that it can be. If you have failed to have a tune-up on your car you may be setting your subject up for a break down along your trip. By going to a store like Walmart that offers full service tune ups while you shop you can get a lot done and take advantage of the time you have. You also can save a lot of money as in looking around I find that their prices are one of the most competitive ones in my area that I’ve ever seen. You also can spend a little more money by asking for a product Mobil 1™ motor oil which offers a full synthetic product that will safeguard your car for up to a year. By spending a little bit more for all your like this you can rest assured that your vehicle will be safeguarded throughout the year.
Mobil 1™ motor oil 
As I got ready for my road trip I took my car into my local Walmart Auto Care Center for an oil change and I did exactly what I suggested. Before I arrived I did of researching online using the Oil Selector Tool which was a free resource. In using this, I received a recommendation to try out the synthetic Mobil 1™ motor oil as I found that it will cover my car for up to a year! As I was walking around Walmart I also noticed that you also can purchase Mobil 1™ motor oil on the shelf. Why did I spend the extra money for this product? For me, Mobil 1™ synthetic oil made sense. Not only does it protect my engine, it also decreases my carbon footprint by making me have fewer oil changes which reduces oil consumption and less waste oil which is something I want to do! With this oil, it offers a Mobil 1™ Annual Protection which will prevent or reduce enough CO2 emissions to fill the Empire State Building more than 5,000 times* and even reduces CO2 emissions. The CO2 emissions reduction would be equivalent to taking more than 500,000 cars off the road*
*Estimates made based on aggregation of the United States’ average car and motor oil statistics
 Only pack what you need
2. Only Pack What You Need
Too often but I tend to pack too much. I will go on a short trip and bring clothes for every day and we’ll forget to look to see if I have the availability of doing laundry while I’m away has this can allow you to bring less clothes and do a bit more laundry instead. Making sure that you ask good questions of the place where you will be staying as well as knowing what type of weather is coming for your trip is also important. Bring a few days of clothes that will help you to be able to swap out different colors for your apparel and that also we can save you some room in your luggage.
Stock Up!
3. Stock Up
Whether you to this before you leave or once you arrive at your location, visiting a local Walmart is a great way to be able to save money. You can find small things that will help you on your trip. There have been times where I am able to stay at places that have kitchens and we tend to throw away a lot of food at the end of the time staying at the site. I visiting a local dollar store you can at times consider getting smaller bottles of things like dressing, laundry detergent, body soap etc. Best of all, by doing this, you save a lot of money that you would have spent in another store.
 Create a Checklist
4. Create a Checklist
As you get ready for your road trip there will be many things that you have to do to stay on top of things and be ready for the actual day of the trip. Everything that is going on the day of the trip will quickly sneak up on you. By making a checklist of the things that you need to pack, the things that you need to do for your car, and any additional items that need to be completed to get your house ready for you to be missing will help you to make sure that you will stay on top of things and that you won’t forget the things that need to be either accomplished or packed prior to the trip.
Be Prepared
5. Be Prepared
Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.

Mobil 1™ motor oil 

If you are taking a road trip soon, get over to Walmart to get an oil change today and take adventage of a very cool offer that will let you save money as well!

Mobil 1™ motor oil 

Earth Day Drive Away offer (exclusive to Walmart)

  • Mobil 1™ is giving Walmart customers a chance to win a Chevy Equinox, plus $10 off their next Mobil 1™ purchase at Walmart.
  • Promotion run dates: January 15, 2018 – April 30, 2018
  • Shoppers can enter for a chance to win a Chevy Equinox in two ways:
    1. By purchasing 5 quarts of Mobil 1™ in the store or a Mobil 1™ oil change at the Auto Care Center
    2. By recycling any used oil at an Auto Care Center
  • As a bonus, shoppers that purchase 5 quarts of Mobil 1™ synthetic oil or a Mobil 1™ synthetic oil change at the Auto Care Center are also eligible to receive a $10 Select Certificate valid on a future Mobil 1™ purchase at Walmart.
  • Once shoppers have made a qualifying Mobil 1™ purchase or recycled any used oil at Walmart, they can enter to win the Chevy Equinox and/or receive their $10 Walmart Select Certificate at earthdaydriveaway.com.
  • Limit 2 entries in the sweepstakes per customer (1 for purchasing and 1 for recycling).
  • Receipt required to receive $10 Walmart Select Certificate.

 

So whether you are heading on a road trip soon or in a few months, make sure to prepare yourself well and also take care of your vehicle too!

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Filed Under: product review, travel Tagged With: car, car tips, cars, family, family travel, family vacation, father, fatherhood, Mobile 1, road trip, travel, travel with family, travel with kids

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