Ask anyone who has been driving for a few years and he or she could tell you plenty of stories of road trips gone wrong. Whether it’s a big vacation or a simple run to the grocery store, being stuck in a car sometimes brings out the worst in us. Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, here are three things you never want to hear when you’re in the car.
We’re About to Run Out of Gas
You’ve lost track of the miles. When you look down at the gas gauge, you suddenly realize it’s below empty, and you’re about to run out of gas. The first thing you need to do is not panic. If the low fuel light just came on, you still have a few miles before you’ll completely run out of gas. Next, you need to take stock of your situation. If you remember passing a gas station a few miles ago, you’re better off turning around and heading back instead of pushing forward.
You also want to slow down. Driving over 50 mph rapidly decreases your fuel economy so move over to the right lane and only use the gas pedal to maintain a steady speed. If your car does run out of gas before you make it to a gas station, immediately coast over to the shoulder, put on your hazards lights, and call for help.
My Stomach Doesn’t Feel Good
If it’s an adult saying this, he can probably gauge whether or not you need to pull over to the side of the road. However, if it’s your kid saying this, you might only have a few seconds to react before there’s a disaster zone in the backseat.
Motion sickness occurs when the inner ear senses motion, but the eyes and joints don’t. If your child is prone to motion sickness, try to get her to look at things outside of the car instead of books or games inside the car. Also, small, bland snacks right before the trip and proper air ventilation can help prevent motion sickness.
Oops, I Spilled Something
You’re cruising down the road listening to your favorite song, and suddenly you hear your child gasp in the backseat. With hesitation, you hear “Do you have a napkin?” This all too familiar story has happened to all of us. Will you ever be able to save your interior? Luckily, you don’t have to start shopping for a new car right that second.
If you have paper towels in the car, use them to immediately wipe up any liquid messes. Next, turn to your trusty baby wipes to finish cleaning the mess. Since baby wipes are gentle enough for human skin, they’re also fine on leather and fabric. Once you get home, make sure to go over the spots with a cleaner to remove any lingering odors or stains.
When you’re driving, you never want to hear these three things. However, if you do, at least you now know how to handle them.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.