Try to avoid the first and last peak periods of free passage when driving home for the Spring Festival

    The 2013 Spring Festival holiday was the second domestic holiday with free passage for small passenger vehicles on expressways since the 2012 National Day holiday. During the Spring Festival, highways, railways, and civil aviation all experienced extremely high volumes of returning passengers, making self-driving home another option for those traveling back for the holidays. In response, provincial highway authorities suggest that during the travel season, citizens driving home should avoid taking overly long inter-provincial routes, and for shorter intra-provincial trips, they should try to choose closed expressways. To avoid the traffic congestion seen at the beginning and end of the free passage period during the “National Day” holiday last year, travelers should try to steer clear of the peak travel times at both the start and end of the free period.

　　Provincial transportation department staff stated that on the morning of February 9, there may be a large influx of private cars from short-distance self-drivers returning home within the province onto the expressways. It is advised that private car owners try to avoid traveling during this period. Meanwhile, 24:00 on February 15 marks the end of the free passage period, so it is recommended that private car owners also try to avoid the final hours of the free passage period—that is, traveling on the evening of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year through toll stations. In case of significant traffic congestion, there is a risk of missing the free passage window.

　　Additionally, due to frequent snowfall this winter, some secondary roads may have icy or snowy road surfaces. Therefore, it is advised that private car owners driving home try to choose closed expressways with relatively less ice and snow. Also, before setting off, ensure you have enough fuel, as fuel consumption tends to be higher in winter. In the event of widespread congestion, running out of fuel could become a problem.

　　Mr. Tong, who has driven back to his hometown of Jidong County for the Spring Festival for two consecutive years, told reporters: “Speeds on expressways are high, and icy or snowy roads are common in winter, so maintaining an appropriate speed is crucial. When driving home for the Spring Festival on expressways, the surroundings are often all white, which can cause eye fatigue. A drive of nearly six hours can easily lead to tiredness, so it is advised that drivers take breaks after driving for a while. Also, to prepare for possible traffic jams, stock up on water and food in your vehicle before driving home.”

　　Reporters visited several major auto repair centers in Harbin and learned that conducting a comprehensive inspection of your vehicle and changing the oil before a long-distance self-drive home is essential for a safe and smooth journey.

　　● Choosing the Right Engine Oil: Not only should you check the grade of engine lubricant, but also the antifreeze in the radiator. If you are using all-season antifreeze, it can generally be replaced every two years, but do check its freezing point. Reporters learned from auto parts sales areas such as Xuanhua Street and Tongda Street in Harbin that the “W” on commercially bottled engine oil stands for winter. On the packaging, the lower the number in indicators like 0W, 5W, and 10W, the better the low-temperature starting performance of the oil. If you are traveling to areas such as the Greater Khingan Mountains, where temperatures are significantly lower than in Harbin, drivers should opt for engine oil with stronger cold-start performance.

　　● Adjusting Tire Pressure: Winter temperatures are low, and according to the principle of thermal expansion and contraction, tire pressure will also change. Therefore, in winter, vehicle owners should moderately increase tire pressure to reduce tire wear. However, on icy or slippery roads, high tire pressure can affect traction. As such, drivers should adjust tire pressure based on road conditions. Also, before long-distance travel, inspect the spare tire in case of emergencies.

　　● Familiarize Yourself with All Vehicle Functions: Before embarking on a long drive, get fully acquainted with your vehicle, especially more complex features like GPS. Avoid trying to figure them out while driving, as it can be distracting.

　　City driving and highway driving are completely different experiences, and each vehicle performs differently at low and high speeds. Before a long trip, it’s best to drive on the highway for a while to understand your vehicle's actual high-speed performance—because you’ll often need to overtake slower vehicles on expressways or national roads. If time allows, practice changing a tire in advance, just in case.

　　● Exercise Caution in Severe Weather: On long journeys, you’re bound to encounter bad weather such as rain, snow, fog, and icy roads, especially sudden morning fog or unexpected rain and snow. It’s important to note that when fog sets in, try to drive slowly on regular roads. If dense fog suddenly appears on the expressway, immediately drive to the nearest parking area to take shelter, or pull over into the emergency lane, and turn on your width lights, tail lights, rear fog lights, and hazard warning lights.

　　● Effective Ways to Defog Your Windshield: Set the air conditioning vent to the windshield setting, turn on the air conditioner, and let the compressor work to remove moisture. However, if you set the temperature knob to cold air at this time, passengers inside will likely feel too cold. Instead, set the temperature knob to warm and turn on the air recirculation button to achieve the defogging effect.

　　③ Tools and Essential Equipment

　　● Spare Tire (including Jack): Long-distance driving will inevitably involve various road conditions, which is a test for your tires. Before setting off, besides checking the four tires for proper inflation, also pay attention to the condition of the spare tire. A jack is also an indispensable tool—you can’t change a tire without it. If you have time, it’s best to learn how to use a jack to change a tire.

　　● Vehicle Tool Kit: Includes wrenches, screwdrivers, lug wrenches, etc. The original vehicle manual should also be kept in the car. For example, if a warning light on the dashboard lights up, you can refer to the manual to identify the issue. A small fire extinguisher should also be kept in the vehicle.

　　● In-Car GPS Navigation: An in-car GPS navigation system is undoubtedly a great travel aid, usually with an error margin of less than 10 meters.

　　● Tip: Before driving home for the Spring Festival, be sure to double-check the dates on your insurance policy and vehicle inspection. Also, before departure, make sure you have brought along your driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance documents, annual inspection certificate, and other relevant paperwork.