3 Simple Rules To Follow Before Before And During A Sightseeing Drive Through A Mountainous Area
Posted on: 17 July 2017
Whether it is the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky or the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the United States has some pretty amazing mountain regions to travel as a motorist. For many travelers, a day trip to a mountain area is perfectly within reach and can make a really good road trip to keep the family entertained. While mountain sightseeing tours as a motorist have their rewards without a doubt, they can also be strenuous on your vehicle.
Steep inclines and quick downward shifts, along with lots of braking and long periods of idling at wildlife crossings can prove to be a challenge on your car. Because you don't want to end up stranded on a mountainside waiting for a towing service, there are a few simple rules to follow.
Check fluid levels before you head out.
Even if a trip to the mountains will be a short drive and a fairly brief getaway, it is best to check fluid levels in your car before you leave. Go ahead and check the oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and even your windshield washing fluid before you head out. Your vehicle's motor will work extremely hard during this trip because of the changes in atmosphere, temperature, and terrain, so every fluid should be at its preferred level.
Plan for brief breaks on your mountain travel route.
Because a trip through a mountainous area can be so taxing on your car's motor, it is best to schedule a break or two somewhere along your travels. Pull up a highway map of the mountain area you will be traveling on and look for pull offs and rest areas that you can stop at briefly. Even if you have no intentions of spending any long period of time there, this will give your motor a chance to get a break during your trip which can prevent problems like overheating or transmission strain.
Ensure you allow yourself enough travel time to take it easy.
There are good reasons why the recommended travel speeds on mountain roads are set pretty low. Traveling at a faster rate of speed can be dangerous on some roads because they have steep drops on either side, but also because traffic can get congested in some areas and sudden braking is a real possibility with wildlife. Plus, you will probably hit some pretty major curves along the way. Because traveling these roads must be done at a slower pace, make sure you give yourself an ample amount of time for your trip so you are not tempted to speed and get your vehicle into a bad situation.
For more information, contact a business such as Darryll's Towing.
Share