Top Tips for Road Trips

A road trip is a great way to get out of the house and spend some quality time with family or friends. Oklahoma has some hidden wonders that could provide fun and exciting experiences. Whether the road trip is for a week or the weekend, planning beforehand is helpful to ensure the trip goes as smoothly as possible. Consider these four tips to help you prepare for what the Oklahoma roads have to offer. 

Don’t Forget About Car Maintenance!

Schedule your car to be inspected before heading out. A good inspection can help prevent unexpected brake or engine problems, or other vehicle issues that may arise. As an OKFB member you also have access to free Roadside Rescue, a 24/7 roadside assistance service that allows you to travel with confidence. 

Keep Yourself in Check

Driving for hours on end can be exhausting. Take note of how you’re feeling and see if you need to pull over for a break. Additionally, if you have a co-pilot in the car, have a plan in place for who is driving. Take note of how long, and when you should stop and rest.

Get Techy with Helpful Apps for the Road

There are a few apps that can help make the road trip go smoother. Apps can help with a number of things. For instance, navigation from Google Maps and Waze, which feature user-reported road hazards, speed traps and more, along with turn-by-turn navigation. Additionally, Tollsmart is an app that allows you to preview the price of upcoming tolls that you may pass during the road trip. All these are available on Android and iOS devices. 

Prep Your Home

Leaving for an extended period of time? Make sure there is someone available to house sit. Leaving a home unattended for a long time can make your home a target for theft. Having a family member or neighbor check in on your home and get your mail is beneficial. This way you can leave your home with peace of mind while on your trip. See other home preparation tips here. 

A road trip can be a great activity to enjoy this spring or summer. To ensure you’re covered, contact your local OKFB agent and see if your Auto Insurance or Recreation Insurance covers your specific vehicle to have a safe, fun and confident trip. 

Scheduling Car Maintenance by Mileage

When it comes to taking care of cars, scheduling car maintenance by mileage is the simplest way to help ensure vehicles will run for years to come. Rather than wait for the engine light, planning for your car’s important milestones can prevent damage and prolong its lifespan. Pay attention to these mileage markers as queues for when to take action on aging or worn parts.

Maintenance every 5,000 miles

Get an oil change about every 5,000 miles and make sure to change the oil filter as well. Check the owner’s manual for the exact recommendation on type of oil to use and how often to change it, which can range from every 3,000 to 5,000 miles depending on age, make and model of the vehicle. 

Maintenance every 10,000 – 30,000 miles

Every 10,000 miles, rotate the tires on the car. If you continue this habit, you may get more use of your tires by prolonging the life of the tire tread. Around the 30,000 mile mark, change the filters in your vehicle. Replace both the air filter and the fuel filter as they can get clogged and cause harm to your engine. 

Maintenance every 40,000 – 50,000 miles

Most manufacturer’s warranties expire after 36,000 miles, so it’s important to take a look to ensure the systems typically covered under these warranties are working properly. This could include a checkup on heating and air conditioning systems, suspension and brakes around the 40,000 mile mark. 

Around 50,000 miles, it may be time to begin replacing any worn parts. The brakes may require a closer look at the pads, rotors and fluids to avoid faulty performance. Check in on how the battery in the vehicle is performing at 50,000 miles — it typically requires changing around this time as well. Closely monitor the transmission fluid near this mile marker as it will likely also need to be changed at this time. Low transmission fluid can cause problems with shifting gears and could burn up the transmission.

Maintenance every 60,000 miles

Once you reach the 60,000 mile mark, check in on various hoses, valves and belts for wear. It’s critical to replace these parts when worn, as they may cause trouble for the vehicle if left as is. Items such as power steering fluid, timing belts and the hoses that carry coolant through the car all fall into this category of maintenance. Additionally, it’s likely time to replace spark plugs and install new tires. 

Maintenance every 100,000+ miles 

At 100,000 miles, it’s likely time to add high mileage coolants and spark plugs to match this high mileage milestone. Make sure to schedule a thorough inspection of major parts such as the transmission, water pump and other components. Again, replace any worn parts that may show up in this inspection. 

Whether you’re driving a new or used vehicle, scheduling maintenance ahead of these major milestones can help contribute to smooth operations for your vehicle. A good auto policy can also help ensure your car is covered through the years. We offer customizable policies to make sure you have the right coverage for your vehicle’s age and wear. Contact an agent today to find a policy that fits your lifestyle.

Car Maintenance for Fall and Winter

As temperatures drop heading into fall and winter, a mechanical failure can be a pain and can also put you and your passengers in a risky situation. Luckily, you can help reduce your chances of running into vehicle failures by taking preventative steps now. Check out this list of maintenance tips to prepare your car for the upcoming seasons. 

Engine

Renew/replace items within your engine as recommended, this includes oil, oil filters, air filters, fuel filters and more. Oil changes are typically every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on the vehicle age and fuel efficiency. You also replace your oil filters at the same time. For specifics on when to replace other items, refer to your vehicle owner’s manual. 

Windshield Wipers

If your current wipers leave your windshield streaky and limit your visibility, it is time to swap them out. Worn windshield wipers make driving riskier, especially during rain and snow. Always ensure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid as well. Consider getting fluid that has antifreeze properties made for winter months. Most importantly, don’t forget to have an ice scraper on hand! 

Tires

Check your tire pressure frequently, as the colder weather can have an impact on air pressure and may require more air. Make sure you’re examining your tire tread – without proper tread, it can make driving through snow or ice more dangerous. You should rotate your tires every 7,500 to 10,000 miles – your vehicle owner’s manual will have the specific mileage recommendation for you.

Emergency Gear

In addition to routine maintenance, it’s a good idea to always carry emergency gear in your car. There are items you should have year-round and several items that should be added for the colder months. Gloves, boots, blankets, snacks, water, first-aid kit and a flashlight will come in handy if your car does experience mechanical failure or another issue this fall or winter.

Roadside Assistance

In case of car failure, you’ll want to know if your insurance covers roadside assistance. Roadside assistance can be added to your auto insurance policy, and it can help pay for some of the costs associated with towing your vehicle, providing gas for an empty tank, jumping a battery or changing a flat tire. Your agent can tell you if roadside assistance requires additional physical damage coverage. Contact your agent today to see about adding this coverage.