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Cars Driving Travel Vehicles DRIVING Also see: DRIVER'S LICENSE, FLAT TIRES, PASSENGERS, VEHICLES - Approx. 50,000 people are killed each year in the U.S. in traffic accidents - Approx. 17,000 people are killed each year in the U.S. by drunk drivers - Approx. 200 people are killed each year in the U.S. due to glare Well before driving: ____ Get a car or cell phone (preferably a hands-free system if you expect to use it while you're driving) - so you can call for help if you have a flat tire, run out of gas, etc. If you have a car phone: ____ Store frequently-called numbers - to minimize distractions while driving ____ Put in the vehicle: - Two wheel chocks to put behind and in front of tire opposite a flat tire - to prevent vehicle rolling while on a jack - Jack - Flares - First aid kid - Dramamine or Bonine - Jumper cables - Bright rag to hang from antenna if car breaks down - Toilet tissue - Water - for radiator and/or drinking - Flashlight(s), extra batteries - Portable 'potty' seat - Tools, e.g., screwdrivers, wrenches - Tire gage ____ Install a kill switch - to deter theft ____ Install a homing device - to help recover vehicle if stolen ____ Have the vehicle identification number (VIN) etched on windows - to deter theft ____ Have your exhaust system checked - to ensure there are no leaks which could pose a danger to occupants of the vehicle If your dashboard is light-colored: ____ Install a dashboard cover which is dark-colored - to reduce glare ____ Obtain maps (e.g., mapquest.com) If you drink alcohol: ____ Ensure you don't drink alcohol for at least approx. 12 hours before driving Loading/packing vehicle: ____ Put following in trunk: - Camera - Valuables (e.g. cameras) - so they won't be visible during stops If you're planning to take a pet: ____ Consider keeping dog or cat in kennel during trip Take: ____ Food ____ Dish(es) ____ Leash ____ ID tag(s) Shortly before driving: ____ Don't drive if you've consumed alcohol within approx. the last 12 hours and/or you still feel affected by alcohol Before walking to your vehicle: ____ Have your vehicle keys ready While walking to your vehicle: ____ Be aware of your surroundings (look for potential attackers) ____ Check tire pressure - underinflated tires are more likely to have a blowout, wear out more quickly, etc. ____ Ensure windshield clean - to reduce dangerous glare which can significantly obstruct your view Passengers: ____ Ensure driver hasn't been drinking alcohol within the last approx. 12 hours ____ Take medication (e.g., Dramamine, Bonine) if you might get car sick Right before driving: ____ Remember that even hitting a child at a slow speed can kill or seriously injure them ____ Remember that many kids don't watch for vehicles as well as they should ____ Remember that many people, and especially kids, have a false sense of security when using a crosswalk ____ Remember that it's up to you to drive carefully and watch for people, especially in crosswalks, to ensure you don't hit anyone ____ Roll window(s) down, at least partway, and keep radio turned down - so you can hear children, safety patrol whistles, etc. ____ Be aware that there are significant penalties for failing to give way to people in a crosswalk ____ Don't drive if you've consumed alcohol within approx. the last 12 hours and/or you still feel affected by alcohol ____ Don't carry a gas can in the trunk ____ Check gas level If low on gas: ____ Put something on dashboard to remind you to get gas To prepare for possible glare which can keep you from seeing other vehicles, traffic lights, etc.: ____ Ensure windshield is clean ____ Clear papers, etc. from top of dashboard ____ Put a dark towel, etc. on top of the dashboard (if the dashboard is a light color) ____ Have sunglasses available ____ Remind yourself: If vehicle accelerates suddenly, even though you are pressing the brake pedal: ____ Turn off ignition ____ Try to take vehicle out of gear ____ Avoid having children under 12 sit in the front seat, especially if there's a passenger-side air bag - children are more likely to be injured in a crash if they're sitting in the front ____ Ensure all passengers have buckled their seat belts ____ Buckle your seat belt ____ Adjust all mirrors If you have a pickup truck with a camper shell or a station wagon and people will be riding in the back: ____ Be aware that carbon monoxide can kill people ____ Be aware that carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless ____ Be aware that, especially in older vehicles, carbon monoxide can leak into the rear of the vehicle due to a leaky exhaust system and/or holes in the floorboard ____ Have the exhaust system and floorboards checked by a mechanic for leaks ____ Don't let children sleep in a camper shell in the back of a pick-up truck while engine is operating ____ Close windows in the back - an open window in the back can draw in carbon monoxide fumes from the exhaust which can be fatal If vehicle won't start: ____ Be aware that if the battery is dead, trying to jump start it using another battery could damage the vehicle's computer system, especially in newer vehicles - it safer to disconnect it and have it recharged ____ Check your owner's manual for proper procedures for jump starting using cables WHILE DRIVING: Always: ____ Drive slow enough so that you can stop in time if a child runs across the street ____ Look for places from which children could dart into the street, e.g., from behind a parked vehicle ____ Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front in case the vehicle in front stops suddenly (some recommend one vehicle length for each 10 mph, or, ensure approx. two seconds elapses between the time the vehicle ahead passes something (e.g., an overpass) and the time you pass the same thing) - it takes a long time for you to see the vehicle ahead slowing down and react to it - some criminals intentionally suddenly stop their vehicle so you'll hit them and they can collect insurance money - women and elderly drivers are the most common targets ____ Keep both hands on the steering wheel, especially when you might need to turn suddenly, e.g., when other vehicles are nearby ____ Watch for drivers who have their headlights off at night - they could be drunk ____ Be wary of drivers who drive below the speed limit or tailgate - they could be drunk ____ Stay clear of drivers who weave across the road - they could be drunk If you see a driver who you believe may be drunk: ____ Avoid passing them if feasible - drunk drivers often swerve unpredictably ____ Stay a safe distance behind them ____ Immediately call the Highway Patrol using your cell phone REGULARLY: If there are two or more lanes for your direction of travel: ____ Avoid having vehicles right next to you - so you have a place to go if in danger of hitting a vehicle, etc. ahead or being hit by a vehicle (e.g., from other side or behind) If you want to make a cell phone call: ____ Pull over in a safe location, if feasible - one study found that people using cell phones while driving were 11 times more likely to die in a car crash - using a cell phone while driving may make your 4 times more likely to be in a car crash (similar to the increased risk if you drive drunk) - men tend to speed and swerve while using a cell phone while driving and are much more likely to be in a crash and be killed - women tend to be less attentive while using a cell phone while driving and are much more likely to be in a crash and be injured If not feasible to pull over: ____ Use speed dialing function to dial frequently-called numbers or ask a passenger to dial for you If you have passengers sleeping in the back, especially if you have a pickup truck with a camper shell or a station wagon: ____ Stop if necessary to ensure they're okay, e.g., not being affected by carbon monoxide fumes from exhaust If glare (especially after sunrise and before sunset)might keep you from seeing other vehicles, pedestrians, traffic lights, etc.: ____ Slow down ____ Clear papers, etc. from top of dashboard If glare might keep oncoming vehicles from seeing you: ____ Turn on your headlights ____ Slow down If on an undivided highway: ____ Stay to the right side of your lane (to avoid oncoming traffic) Approaching a crosswalk: ____ Slow down ____ Look for people waiting to cross If people are waiting to cross: ____ Stop ____ Ensure no other vehicles are passing you If other vehicles start to pass you while people are crossing the street: ____ Put your arm out your window ____ Wave the people across After everyone has completely crossed the street: ____ Continue driving GAS STATIONS: Before lifting the pump handle: ____ Ensure nothing dangerous has been attached to the handle - there are reports of needles with HIV-positive blood on them being placed on pump handles If you are filling a gas can: Before taking off the cap of the can - to avoid an explosion due to static electricity igniting gas fumes: ____ Touch the can to the ground ____ Touch the gas pump nozzle to the can While putting gas in your vehicle: ____ Stand upwind ____ Check the oil level ____ Check tire pressure with a gage (refer to the owner's manual, not the side of the tire, for the proper pressure) PARKING: If you're parking in a parking lot: ____ Choose a well-lit area, close to populated area - to reduce risk of being attacked or having vehicle stolen ____ Avoid parking next to things or areas which could conceal attackers e.g., walls, vans, bushes, etc. ____ Consider backing your vehicle into your parking spot - to enable you to leave quickly if approached by a potential attacker ____ Turn wheels towards curb - to deter theft ____ Lock doors ____ Roll up windows After parking: ____ Install steering wheel lock ____ Check under vehicle for leaks ____ Ensure vehicle is locked - to prevent theft - to prevent kids from getting into vehicle and activating garage door opener ____ Activate security systems FLAT TIRE: If you have a flat tire: ____ Stop in a safe, well-lit area ____ Put flashers on ____ Consider putting reflective triangles and/or flares behind your vehicle to warn approaching drivers If you can't change the tire yourself: ____ Lock your doors ____ Roll up your windows If someone stops and offers to help: ____ Show them that you have a cell phone ____ Don't get in the car with anyone ____ Don't let them change your tire ____ Wait for police to come ____ Ask them to send help If you can change the tire yourself: ____ Put chocks behind and in front of the tire at the opposite corner of the vehicle from the flat tire ____ Have someone watch approaching traffic - to warn you of drivers who don't see you and might hit you ____ For most vehicles, place notch at top of jack directly under notch under side of vehicle between flat tire and middle of vehicle ____ Operate jack until notch at top of jack just touches the notch on the vehicle ____ Loosen all lug nuts on the wheel with the flat tire - reduces risk of tipping vehicle off the jack ____ Operate the jack to raise the vehicle until the flat tire is off the ground ____ Remove lugs nuts ____ Remove the flat tire/wheel ____ If necessary, operate jack to raise vehicle enough to put on the replacement wheel ____ Tighten one lug nut hand tight (wait until tire touches ground before tightening further - reduces risk of tipping vehicle off the jack) ____ Tighten hand tight one of the lug nuts opposite the first nut ____ Repeat until all nuts are hand tight ____ Operate jack to lower vehicle ____ Tighten one nut with wrench ____ Tighten one of the nuts opposite the first nut ____ Repeat until all nuts are tight ____ Get flat tire fixed TRIPS: Before: ____ Have car serviced by a mechanic ____ Check fluid levels (coolant, windshield washer, etc) ____ Check operation of headlights, tailights, turn signals, etc. Take: ____ Aspirin ____ Cooler with cold sodas, etc. ____ Snacks ____ Extra car keys Back to Top VEHICLES Also see: DRIVING, RENTING  BUYING/LEASING: Well before buying or leasing: ____ Review this entire checklist before acting ____ Plan to never buy or lease on your first visit to a dealer If you're considering leasing: ____ Be aware that leasing almost always costs much more than buying ____ Be aware that vehicle dealers often try to convince you to lease instead of buy - dealers usually make much more money from leasing ____ Try to deal with an established company ____ Consider first negotiating with the dealer for the cost of buying, then compare the dealer's best price with the capitalized cost of leasing ____ Ask the dealer for the capitalized cost - will give you an idea of the total cost of leasing ____ Get the effective interest rate from the dealer ____ Plan to get gap insurance (you might be able to get it free) Deciding what kind of vehicle to buy/lease: ____ Decide whether to buy/lease a new or used vehicle: - Be aware that the value of a new vehicle drops significantly as soon as you drive it off the lot - Be aware that a used vehicle may have been involved in a serious accident and the title altered to hide that fact Deciding whether to buy from a private individual or from a dealer: ____ Be aware that if you buy from a private individual, there's probably less chance of getting your money back if vehicle has problems For safety info on most vehicles: ____ Check the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration web site Model: ____ Consider a model which is less likely to be stolen Color: ____ Choose a color which makes the vehicle easier to see by other drivers - to reduce risk of a collison ____ Choose a color which is less likely to be stolen - red cars are said to be the most likely to be stolen Features/options to consider getting: ____ Cameras which allow you to see blind spots ____ Fire alarm system under hood ____ 'Black box' to record data for accident reconstruction ____ Strengthened seat backs - normal seat backs can collapse when vehicle is hit from behind with speed differential as low as 20 mph - over 1000 people are killed in US each year in rear end crashes, many involving seat back failure, causing fatal injury from that collision or causing driver to lose control of the vehicle and hit oncoming traffic, objects, etc. - available in Mercedes, Volvo and some BMW and Ferrari models) ____ Tinted windows - may improve visibility in bright conditions - may reduce risk of skin cancer Before deciding whether to buy/lease a specific vehicle: ____ Inspect vehicle for indications that it was involved in a serious accident, e.g.: - Part(s) painted to match rest of vehicle ____ Have vehicle looked at by a dealer who handles that type of vehicle ____ Have mechanical and structural condition of vehicle checked, e.g., by your mechanic: - Ensure vehicle hasn't been involved in a serious accident ____ Check the title for an indication that the vehicle was involved in an accident (most titles will indicate "salvage" or "rebuilt" if the vehicle was involved in an serious accident) ____ Conduct, or have conducted, a search of records for the vehicle's history, including serious accidents When you think you might be ready to close a deal to buy or lease from a dealer: ____ Be aware that you'll probably get a better deal on a vehicle if the dealer has a significant number of the model on the lot ____ Plan to visit dealers near the end of the month - they may be more motivated to close a deal with you to met their monthly sales or lesing targets ____ Visit the dealer late in the day - it might speed up the negotiations since the staff will probably be anxious to go home on time When negotiating for the best price: ____ Ask if there's a rebate available on any of the vehicles you're interested in ____ Let the dealer's staff know you're not in a hurry Once you think you have their best price: ____ Get it in writing ____ Take the written offer to at least two other dealers to see if they will beat it After deciding to lease a vehicle: ____ Ensure up-front deposits are deducted from the total cost ____ Read the lease agreement carefully ____ Ensure the final cost is clearly stated on the lease agreement ____ Ensure the dealer doesn't charge you for things which should have already been included in the estimated monthly lease payments, e.g., gap insurance, taxes Cleaning your vehicle: ____ Have car washed at a car wash which recycles the water and disposes of dirty water properly, e.g., not in storm drains ____ Avoid cleaning top of dashboard with any cleaner which leaves a gloss - to reduce dangerous glare in sunny weather which can obstruct view Regularly: ____ Clean windshield - to reduce dangerous glare in sunny weather which can obstruct view Items to keep in your vehicle: ____ Jack and wrench to operate it ____ Breaker bar (also known as a four-way) - to loosen lug nuts ____ Spare tire (properly inflated) ____ Booster cables - to help start a vehicle with a weak battery ____ Tire inflator (can) ____ Fire extinquisher ____ Roll of electrical tape ____ Screw drivers (straight slow and Phillips head) ____ Pliers ____ Distress sign and/or flag ____ Flares ____ Siphon pump - to transfer gas from one vehicle to another ____ Water - for drinking and/or radiator ____ Flashlight(s) and batteries ____ Coins - for phone calls, tolls, etc. ____ Safety vest - to wear while working on vehicle near traffic ____ Gloves, e.g., cotton ____ Tissues, paper towels, etc. ____ Bungee cord ____ Rope - to tie items onto roof ____ First aid equipment ____ Phone books (white and yellow) - to get phone numbers, addresses, etc. while out shopping, etc. - so you won't have to look for a phone booth with a phone book, possibly in a dangerous neighborhood ____ Gas can (only if you need to get gas, e.g., for mowing) (before taking off the cap of the can, touch the can on the ground and touch the gas pump nozzle to the can, then remove can cap - to avoid explosion due to static electricity igniting gas fumes) MAINTENANCE: Regularly: ____ Ensure your spare tire is properly inflated When you have tires rotated, etc.: ____ Tell the mechanic that you want the lug nuts torqued to manufacturer's specifications - lazy mechanics often tighten lug nuts too tight with automatic tools ____ Ask the mechanic to use a torque wrench to ensure all lug nuts are tightened evenly - can cause uneven and dangerous braking, especially with disc brakes RECREATIONAL VEHICLES: For more info on RV's: rvia.org REPAIRS: If you are told your vehicle needs repairs before driving further and you are not close to a garage(repair shop) you trust and/or you feel pressured to have repairs done at a specific repair shop: ____ Determine if temporary repairs can be made to enable you to drive your vehicle to a repair shop you trust ____ Call a mechanic or friend you trust to ask: - Do the suggested repairs seem appropriate? - What should the suggested repairs cost? - What should you expect to pay per hour for labor? ____ Consider having your vehicle towed to a repair shop you trust ____ Consider renting a flat bed truck to transport your vehicle to a repair shop you trust WASHING - See VEHICLES - Cleaning Back to Top
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