Car tips for traveling
By Maggie Koerth mkoerth@kansan.com Jayplay writer
Fall break is coming. If you're planning on hitting the road, make sure your car is ready for it. Tom and Ray Magliozzi of Car Talk and Lawrence High School automotive teacher David Tenpenny share their suggestions with would-be road trippers.
1. Get your car a check-up. When you were a kid your parents probably
you go get a check-up even if you didn't feel sick. Your car deserves the same loving treatment, for its sake and yours. "Do
you want to risk passing through the digestive system of wolves because of a loose hose clamp?" the Magliozzis ask on their Web site. "We didn't think so." Tenpenny recommends making sure your tires, fan belts and fluids are all in proper working order. He also
can't get it in at the service station for two more weeks," Tenpenny says. A good mechanic needs time to fix your car. Make
says that if fluids are low you might have a bigger problem because fluids don't just evaporate. He says that if they're getting out you probably have a leak of some sort.
ON THE WEB
2. Don't wait until the day you leave to get the check-up. "So many students wait until the day before they leave, find out the car is goofy and then
Check out http://cartalk.cars.com for a trip planner, a do-it-yourself guide and more answers to your car repair questions.
your appointment at least a week in advance.
3. Bring a cell phone and basic repair kit. The Car Talk Web site recommends your kit contain at least some screwdrivers, vice grips and a hunk of duct tape. The site sells a kit that's pricey, $189, but includes everything
you could ever need, including jumper cables, a first aid kit, tire sealant and the aforementioned duct tape.
4. Join a travel club. This is especially useful if you're on the road a lot. But don't just blindly join AAA. The Magliozzi brothers recommend an organization called Better World Club. They say they like Better World because they don't funnel their profits into lobbying against public transportation and drafting dubious research. The company also offers discounts on hybrid rental cars, which make both you and the earth happy.
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