Patrick Olsen, from CARFAX, shares the importance of car maintenance and shows viewers how to pack their cars properly.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Thanksgiving is officially in two weeks and there are a few things you need to get done before you head to grandma’s house for the holidays. One of those is getting your car maintenance.
Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief from Carfax, gives tips to help you stay safe during your holiday travels.
The sad truth is that most Americans are behind on getting regular maintenance done to their cars.
- 29% are behind on oil changes
- 44% are behind on tire rotations
- 20% are behind on both
Those numbers are about the same for North Carolina drivers, too.
Well, why is this important? While it may save consumers money to skip now, it could cost them big later. A lack of clean oil can lead to engine failure, which could result in high repair costs. Worn tires can go flat, cause blowouts, or even lead a car off the road because they’re too slick. Most importantly, you don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road during the holidays.
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Before you get on the road, you want to make sure your car is properly packed.
- You want to ensure every item is packed in its appropriate container and is secure. Don’t let casseroles or pies sit unsecured anywhere in the car. In the event of a collision, those objects can become missiles and inflict a lot of damage.
- Don’t overcrowd your car. Make sure everyone has enough space and ensure that every person has their seatbelt.
- Check your car’s recommended weight to carry. You don’t want to carry more weight than the automaker says you can. It can hurt your car’s stability. Check your owner’s manual for details.
For most of the country, including North Carolina, fall is the season when most accidents happen. Why?
- Diminishing Daylight: Drivers are twice as likely to have an accident in the dark as they are in the daylight, research shows.
- Deer Mating Season: More car-deer accidents happen in fall’s three months than in all other months combined.
- Wet leaves on the ground: They’re as slippery as ice. On a dry road, a typical car slows from highway speeds to about 80 feet. On wet leaves, it can be as many as 200 feet.
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