Tomorrow is the annual New Year's Day holiday, which also means we have stepped into the legendary year of 2012. Although the New Year's holiday is only three short days, compared to previous years, in January 2012 we will also have a seven-day Spring Festival holiday.
Usually, the Spring Festival holiday is mostly spent visiting relatives and friends, leaving little time for oneself. Therefore, we can use the three-day New Year's holiday for a short self-driving trip to nearby suburbs or cities. This not only helps relieve the stress from a year of work but also brings some anticipation for the new year.
So, what should we pay attention to during a short self-driving trip? The following article provides a simple introduction in this regard, mainly covering the following three aspects: 1. Pre-trip preparations; 2. Pre-trip inspections; 3. Driving precautions.
Documents: ID card, driver’s license, and vehicle registration are all essential
Before going on a self-driving trip, make sure to prepare and bring all necessary documents, such as your ID card, driver’s license, and vehicle registration. On one hand, these will definitely be needed during the trip, such as when checking into hotels or during police road checks; on the other hand, they will save you a lot of trouble and time in case of emergencies.
Preliminary planning: Map out your itinerary and book accommodations
With today’s advanced internet, it’s best to spend some time online before your self-driving trip. Focus on the following points: 1. Understand the driving route—see how most people choose their routes, which can save time avoiding getting lost and also effectively reduce fuel costs; 2. Check other people’s travel itineraries to avoid aimlessly wandering upon arrival; 3. Book your hotel in advance, as many people travel during holidays, and accommodation is the first thing to secure.
In-car tools: Triangle warning signs, jumper cables, and socket wrenches are must-haves
Whether it’s a long trip or a short drive, you can consider it prolonged driving. Although modern family cars are of high quality and can handle extended use, it’s important to be prepared for unexpected events. Therefore, it’s best to prepare essential in-car tools before setting off, including triangle warning signs, jumper cables, and tire socket wrenches, to ensure a safe and worry-free journey.
Spare items: Prepare both for people and for the car
For passengers, first prepare a “backup” driver to allow for alternating driving and avoid fatigue. Additionally, classify and prepare items needed for traveling far away, such as water, snacks, clothing, and first aid supplies, for emergencies. As for the vehicle, prepare various oils/liquids in the engine compartment, and if possible, prepare an extra fuel canister with some backup gasoline.
Lights: Check whether they can be turned on or off before departure
The importance of car lights is like that of eyes to a person. Simply put, car lights serve two main purposes: one is to provide necessary illumination for the driver, enabling good visibility for passengers in bad weather or at night; the other is to serve as a warning to alert other vehicles and pedestrians.
Also, it’s important to know that whether the car lights can be turned on or off properly affects the driver’s ability to safely reach the destination. Therefore, whether it’s a long trip or a short drive, make sure to carefully inspect all lights before setting off—the method is simple: just check if each light can be turned on or off normally.
Wipers: Check if they can be turned on or off properly
Good visibility is the most basic requirement for safe driving, and there are two main conditions for achieving it: one is having enough windshield washer fluid; the other is wipers that can turn on and off properly. For windshield washer fluid, since it’s already deep winter, it’s recommended to use antifreeze windshield washer fluid to prevent it from freezing.
In addition, the north becomes extremely cold after the coldest period of winter. Before setting off in the morning, check whether the wipers are frozen. If they are, after starting the vehicle, turn on the heater and direct warm air toward the windshield to melt the ice on the wipers using heat. Never force the wiper switch to turn on, as this could damage the wiper rubber blades and the wiper motor.
Tires: Check tire pressure, tread, and sidewalls
Whether it’s a long or short self-driving trip, it’s especially important to check the tires before setting off, including the spare tire. Tires are the only part of the vehicle that touches the ground during driving, and whether the vehicle moves as the driver intends largely depends on these four tires. Additionally, the condition of the tires can affect subsequent driving.
When inspecting the tires, focus on two aspects: first, check whether the tire pressure is consistent across all tires; second, check whether the tread and sidewalls show any severe scratches or cracks. Inconsistent tire pressure can cause the vehicle to veer off course, while scratches or cracks on the tread or sidewalls can lead to tire blowouts.
Brakes: Check brake fluid and the thickness of brake pad friction material
The braking system is a critical safeguard for safe vehicle operation, so it must be thoroughly inspected before the trip. First, ensure the brake fluid level is within the reservoir’s standard marking—too much or too little fluid can affect braking performance. Also, if the brake fluid turns black or smells foul, it should be replaced at a service station promptly.
Aside from the brake fluid, it’s also important to closely inspect the brake discs. If you find that the brake pad friction material is severely worn during inspection, have it addressed at a service station immediately. Also, check the sensitivity of the handbrake.
Time management: Try not to waste time stuck in traffic or due to travel restrictions
Since the New Year's holiday is only three days long, it’s best for drivers to download a travel itinerary in advance to reduce time wasted wandering around unfamiliar cities. Additionally, it’s recommended to check the local weather and general road conditions online beforehand to maximize your chances of enjoying the trip rather than wasting time in traffic jams or due to restrictions.
Driving: Avoid fatigued driving
Driving for several hours in a row can significantly increase fatigue. To prevent fatigued driving, it’s best to have an additional “backup” driver in the car to allow for alternating driving. Other methods can also help alleviate fatigue, such as chatting or snacking, but avoid smoking frequently.
On the road: Watch your speed in bad weather
During this season, some areas may experience snow accumulation and ice formation, which can affect safe driving. Therefore, when encountering poor road conditions, the first priority is to control your speed. Due to the unfavorable road conditions, excessive speed may lead to loss of vehicle control, significantly increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Additionally, when driving on slippery roads, it's best to learn how to use engine braking to reduce speed—in other words, rely on downshifting rather than slamming on the brakes. On wet and slippery surfaces, sudden braking can easily cause the vehicle to lose control, leading to various types of skidding.
Following other vehicles: Pay attention to following distance
When following other vehicles, it’s also important to manage the distance between your car and the one in front. The ideal distance should be 2 to 3 times longer than under normal road conditions. This is because you’ll need ample time to react if the vehicle ahead encounters an unexpected situation. Moreover, try not to make sharp steering movements on poor roads, as this can easily lead to skidding. Since you’re driving in an unfamiliar city, it’s best to follow vehicles with local license plates when possible.
● Summary:
Compared to the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, the New Year’s holiday only lasts a brief three days. To avoid affecting normal work after the break, you’ll usually spend the last day or half-day at home. This means you actually have only about two days for travel. Therefore, I suggest going on a short self-driving trip. It allows you to enjoy the pleasure of traveling while not interfering with your regular work schedule afterward.
