Message #2 From:
NewsBot Date: December 19, 2006 05:17:00 AM
AAP News Drivers Should Complete Vehicle Safety Check Before Holiday Travel
ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spend a few minutes checking out your important vehicle systems before
hitting the road this holiday season to prevent your holiday travel from
turning into a hassle.
“Arriving safely should be every driver’s
primary concern,” according to Bryan Gregory,
Advance Auto Parts’ (NYSE:AAP) director of
consumer education. “While winter weather,
increased traffic, driver fatigue and shortened daylight hours can make
driving more hazardous over the holidays, a poorly maintained vehicle
shouldn’t be added to that list of potential
driving hazards.”
Gregory recommends performing a simple vehicle safety check, starting
with the front windshield.
“More than 75 percent of all accidents that
occur during severe weather are due to impaired visibility,”
Gregory said. He recommends getting new wiper blades every six months,
which Advance Auto Parts will install for free, and switching to
high-quality winter blades in areas where snow and ice are expected.
Every vehicle should be equipped with an emergency kit that includes a
flashlight, flares or reflective triangles, blanket, food bars, water,
cell phone and charger, and a first aid kit.
And because it’s just as important to see as
it is to be seen on the road, Gregory recommends checking all vehicle
lights, including headlights, taillights, marker bulbs, fog lights and
interior lights.
Other safety tips include:
Check tire tread depth and look for signs of irregular wear. Measure
tire pressure when the tires are cold. Inflate the tires to the
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer –
information that can be found on the driver’s
side door post – but never exceed the
maximum inflation pressure printed on the tire sidewall. Proper tire
pressure ensures maximum traction, fuel economy, handling, and
stopping power.
Clean all mirrors and adjust them to cover as much of the “blind
spot” as possible.
Strap down all cargo. Even in low-speed accidents, gift boxes and
travel supplies become projectiles inside the vehicle.
“Once you’ve
completed the safety check, you can then focus on maximizing fuel
economy, even though your vehicle may be loaded down with people and
presents, by having a clean air filter and by adding fuel injector
cleaner to the vehicle’s gas tank prior to
departure,” Gregory added.
Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive parts,
accessories, batteries and maintenance items in the United States based
on sales and store count. Any one of their more than 3,000 stores in 40
states can be located at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com
