The "Implementation Plan for Toll-Free Passage of Small Passenger Vehicles During Major Holidays," issued in August, stipulates that small passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer will be exempt from highway tolls during four national statutory holidays: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. This has filled people with anticipation for the upcoming Golden Week holiday.
Reporters learned from various travel agencies yesterday that the number of inquiries at agencies has surged, and many travelers have already planned their routes.
"No tolls this year means cost savings, and I’m really looking forward to the National Day Golden Week," said Ms. Li, a private car owner. With National Day just around the corner, she and her friends have already made travel plans. Their destination is Lugu Lake, and she has prepared all the necessary gear in advance.
With the arrival of the National Day Golden Week, many drivers have opted for road trips. But self-driving can bring unexpected situations—what should you do when they occur?
Situation 1: Tire Blowout
Tip: Blowouts are more common in the front tires while driving. If this happens, don’t panic, and never slam on the brakes. Grip the steering wheel firmly and try to maintain control of the vehicle, gently pressing the brake pedal to avoid putting too much force on the front of the car. Keep a steady grip on the steering wheel so you can quickly correct the vehicle if it veers sharply left or right.
If the rear tire blows out, the back of the car will shake violently and erratically. Stay calm, do not slam the brakes, hold the steering wheel firmly, and keep the car moving straight.
Additionally, it’s best to use pulse braking to shift the car’s center of gravity forward, keeping the intact front tires bearing more load and reducing the strain on the burst rear tire.
Situation 2: Vehicle Skidding
Tip: If skidding occurs, immediately stop braking and reduce throttle, while turning the steering wheel toward the direction of the skid. Don’t turn too sharply or hold the turn too long, or the vehicle may slide in the opposite direction.
Try not to use the brakes while skidding. For manual transmission cars, keep the clutch engaged and use engine braking to slow down. For automatic cars, ease off the throttle. To prevent skidding, always drive slowly and never exceed the speed limit based on road conditions.
On slippery roads, every start, stop, and turn must be done slowly to reduce skidding. Use pulse braking rather than slamming the brakes.
Situation 3: Uneven Tire Wear
Tip: Rotate your tires. Because different tires experience varying workloads and loads—with drive wheels bearing more weight than non-drive wheels, and right-side wheels (due to right-side driving) bearing more than left—the issues described above can arise after a certain distance. Follow the car maintenance schedule and rotate the tires on time. Tire rotation is especially crucial for new cars during their initial break-in period, significantly affecting tire lifespan.
Situation 4: Heavy Steering, Vibration, Pulling to One Side, or a Floating, Bumpy, Wobbly Feeling While Driving
Tip: Get a four-wheel alignment. In fact, whenever you notice abnormal tire wear such as one-sided wear, wave-shaped wear, patchy wear, or uneven wear, you should visit a 4S shop for a four-wheel alignment. Beyond helping your car drive straight and steer smoothly, four-wheel alignment also reduces wear on tires and steering components while driving.
Generally, a four-wheel alignment is recommended every 10,000 kilometers.