How Many Miles Are in Your Day?
Gain peace of mind behind the wheel, no matter where your road takes you.
Driving habits often change according to where you are in life…new job, retirement or becoming an empty nester. And depending upon how often you use your car, adhering to a car maintenance plan that fits your usage can keep you going confidently - no matter where your road takes you.
So whether you’re tooling around town or taking off on a major road trip, you’ll want your car in tip-top shape. When you’re ready to go, make sure your car is ready too!
How do you roll?
Roberta (The Commuter) Always on the go, Roberta heads out early for yoga class, has a 50-mile roundtrip commute to work each day and is out several nights a week between dinner with friends or her book group.
If you’re like Roberta, you’re a heavy commuter and rely on your car every day. Follow these car safety tips so you can get to where you need to be.
- Find a Trusted Mechanic. Build a relationship with an honest independent mechanic or technician that you can count on. They’ll get to know you and your car to provide better service to keep your car in optimal condition.
- Change Your Oil. Sounds simple enough, but many people put off changing their car’s oil. Change the oil according to the maintenance schedule in your car owner’s manual; it’s the key for a smooth-running engine.
- Walk the Perimeter of Your Car Before You Hop In. This gives you a chance to do a quick inspection of your vehicle, look at the tires, windshield and mirrors, and also can help prevent running over sharp objects that could possibly cause a flat tire. This tip doesn’t cost a dime and can help prevent bigger problems down the road that can leave you stranded on the road.
Phil (The Daytripper) Phil jumps in his car a couple of times a week so he can enjoy an afternoon with the grandkids, share a lunch with the guys and to keep his doctors’ appointments.
If you’re like Phil, you’re an occasional driver too. Follow these car safety tips and help ensure car will be ready when you are.
- Time Your Oil Change. Even though you’re not putting a lot of miles on your car, engine oil becomes contaminated over time. Check your owner’s manual for the maximum time frame for an oil change, rather than going by mileage.
- Drive Your Car. At least once a week, drive around the block a few times to reach operating temperature indicated at the middle of your temp gauge. Don’t let your car sit for too long between uses. Just like with the human body it needs to be moved.
- Don’t Ignore Warning Signals. Even though you may not be traveling long distances, have any indicator warnings checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. And keep up with necessary repairs accordingly because even a breakdown close to home can be a nuisance.
Lila and Jack (The Adventures) Newly retired Lila and her husband James are finally fulfilling their dream of driving across the country from East to West. They’re planning to experience as many sights, tastes and attractions as possible in two months.
If you’re like Lila and Jack, you’re an adventurer. Follow these car safety tips before you embark on your next big road trip.
- Have a Mechanic Do a Thorough Inspection. Make sure your vehicle is current on major services before you embark on your trip. This inspection should include checking of oil, coolant and windshield wiper fluid, as well an inspection of tires, filters and the battery.
- Put Paperwork in Order Make sure your license, registration and insurance information is up to date and accessible. As a back-up, use your smartphone to take pictures of your documents just in case you need them.
- Be Prepared for a Car Emergency. Because you can’t prevent all car emergencies, ensure your roadside assistance plan is up to date and provides the coverage you need. You’ll have peace of mind in the event you run into any major hassles that require towing, tire changes, jump-starts or if you need fuel.
AARP® Roadside Assistance from Allstate is designed with you in mind. A product or service that carries the AARP brand has been carefully evaluated and selected as one that meets the high service and quality standards of AARP.
No matter how many miles are in your day, have peace of mind when you’re on the road. See plans.
Also of Interest: 5 U.S. bucket list road trips not to be missed
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