8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005
For 35 years he has traveled across the country visiting all but a handful of the 50 states. Robert Schaller is Program Manager of Defense Driving for the state of Arizona, a contributing expert to roadtripamerica.com and a road trip enthusiast. It all began in 1965 on a road trip from Phoenix to Michigan with his father. "That is still my favorite trip even though I didn't get to drive," Schaller says. Schaller began road-tripping with his family when he was about three years old and has loved the driving ever since. "I caught the fever from my dad," Schalter says. "He loved to drive. When he was 16 years old he drove a Model A Ford from Indiana to the coast and back again."
While most of us aren't planning to drive across the country for spring break, a few will be heading to places nearby. Monica Gundlefinger, Prairie Village sophomore, is going to Galveston, Texas with some friends. "A friend's sister lives down there, so we'll have access to a house right on the beach," Gundlefinger says. But, no matter where you're heading it's important to get there safely. Whether you are a first time road-tripper or an old pro, here are a few tips to send you on your way.
Pre-Trip Checklist
A-16 Trip Checklist
The most important part of a road trip is, well, the car. So, to avoid getting strained make sure everything is working properly. Your best bet is to have your mechanic check out your car before you leave, some garages even offer a pre-trip inspection. Your mechanic should look at the tires, brakes, belts and hoses, the exhaust and cooling systems and electrical charging. But if he can't squeeze you
in make sure to thoroughly check your car to ensure everything is running smoothly. Gundelfinger says she plans to have her dad look at her car before they leave. "He's a handman," she says. If you don't take your car to a mechanic, Schaller says to look at all fluid levels and tire pressure and to check the lights, the horn and clean the windshield. If your car has more than 100,000 miles you should take extra precautions and really have
your car looked over
Schaller says that getting a tune up on an older car can help you save money and get better gas mileage.
Do It Yourself
Do It Yourself
To check your tire pressure you can buy a gauge from an auto parts store or use the one on the air pump at a
on the oil pump in the local gas station. Unscrew the valve on the tire and apply the gauge. A ruler will extend to give you the reading. Compare it to the correct tire pressure listed on the tire rim or in your car's owner's manual and inflate the tire as needed.
While you're checking out the tire's pressure, you should also look at the tread. Worn tires offer little traction, which can cause you to hydroplane on wet roads. Daniel Kessler, mechanic at Dale Willey Quick Service and Tire Center at 2216 W Sixth says that legally your tire tread must be at least 2/32 of an inch. You can get pulled over and ticketed for having less tread, Kessler says. To check your tire's tread place a penny in the tread grooves on the tire. If part of Lincoln's head is covered, your tires don't need
replacing. Use the penny in several grooves to get an accurate reading.
And last, test the fluids. To check your antifreeze or coolant levels first locate the container that holds the fluids. Your car's manual provides a guide to locating everything under the hood. Make sure that the engine is cool and add the fluid until it reaches the "fill" line printed on the reservoir. You can use the same method to add windshield washer fluid.
windshield wash,
and brake fluid. However, checking your car's oil is a little more difficult. First, find the dipstick. Pull it out and wipe it off using a clean, lint-free rag. Put it back in, remove it and read the stick. The notches will let you know if you need to add oil. While you're there, make sure the oil is clean. Any sign
the oil is clean. Any sign of grit means you should have your oil changed.
Be Prepared
BE I repaired
Even when your car is in tip-top shape, you should take an emergency kit. You never know what might happen to you or other spring break road-trippers. Your kit should have a spare tire that is in good shape and can hold air. Schaller says that often the spares sit under the car for so long that they barely have air when you pull them out. The type of spare you have determines how far you can go. Kessler says a full sized spare is like a regular tire, it's not just for temporary use. With a doughnut however, there are limits. Kessler says that with the doughnut you should drive as few miles as possible
You should also keep a jack, lug wrench,
jumper cables, and an extra can of motor oil and a jug of water for emergencies.
claim a job or wait for ambulance.
First aid kits are a necessity. You never know when you'll be in an accident or witness one. The kits are easy to put together or to find, just make sure it has all of the necessities. A flash light with extra batteries, cold packs and re-sealable plastic bags are good things to have in case you run into any problems, says Bill Smith, health educator for Student Health Services. But he also suggests taking along some of the basics like scissors, latex gloves, adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, adhesive tape, sealed moist towelettes and elastic bandages. Smith says if you do have problems you can call 911 from the road, just know exactly where you are. "The signal can bounce off any tower and you may not get a local 911 operator," says Smith, "You have to be able to say I'm at this mile marker."
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tout will send help to you.
The whole point of a road trip is the drive; that's what got Schaller hooked. So have fun and take in some sights. Just remember to prepare so you can come back and tell everyone about your time on the road, not on the side of it.
Another important number to have on the road is 511. Schaller says that this number will give you road condition information in most states. If you are nervous about driving a long distance, Schaller also recommends getting an auto club plan like AAA. If you break down, you can call one number and the club will send help to you.
l foskey@kansan.com
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