#Holiday #Prep- Tip #1: Peace of Mind Holiday Driving

With all of our family living far, far away, we are going to be spending a lot of this holiday season on the road. Recently, I attended a Goodyear Tires event where I found out there is a ton to know regarding peace-of-mind holiday driving.

I bet when you think Goodyear, the first things that come to your mind is NASCAR and blimps. Did you know it is one of the world's largest tire companies? Started in 1898 in Akron, Ohio, which still serves as its global headquarters, they have 52 facilities in 22 countries, striving to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. Their ultimate interest is to insure peace-of-mind driving. And that type of driving begins with driving on quality tires. The most important thing I learned when I participated with the Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season & Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure Combined Ride 'n Drive is that: a tire is not a tire.

Traditionally, in our household, my husband takes care of vehicle maintenance -- including tire upkeep. After attending this session, I realized that I have been taking a lot for granted regarding having the right tire for our car and assuming it meets my requirements for safety. I learned that safety doesn't just mean getting from point A to point B in one piece. To travel safely includes knowing that your tires provide traction, stopping distance, cornering, and confidence in lane changing-- whether you are driving around town or taking a spin off road.

Goodyear gave me the opportunity to join in with dealers and shop owners who sell their tires, to personally experience how a tire should handle by driving exact vehicles outfitted with identical type of tires (a Goodyear brand and their competitor's) comparing how the different tires reacted on an off road course and a city driving course. What this activity wanted to prove was that In order to be able to fully trust your tires, you need to test their limits in all kinds of conditions.

You bet I was nervous to try this little experiment. After all, I am a graduated carpool mom whose driving is pretty much limited to city driving, freeways, and occasional family road trips. Living in Southern California, our weather is pretty stable; maybe some rain now and then but no alarming conditions. And I definitely have never done any off-road jumping. Sensing my nervousness, the professional drivers who accompanied me on my ride 'n drives were patient and boosted my confidence guiding me while I drove. I got to try each track twice and by the second go-arounds, I was feeling more comfortable with my driving skills-- and the different tire performances.

What this experience taught me was there really is a difference on how a tire should handle and that I needed to pay more attention to how my tires on my own vehicles were reacting. Driving on the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure tires, it was obvious to me that they stopped immediately, handled the turns tightly, and were quiet too. All combined, it made for a comfortable and safe ride. I couldn't say the same thing about the competition whose tires allowed me to skid to a stop and were pretty loose on the turning not to mention the noise.

When I drove on the simulated road course on the Goodyear Eagle Sport All Season tires, I really appreciated how they held tight to the road especially in the wet areas. Skidding was almost non-existent. Important to rely on when traveling to relatives' homes that includes wet and snowy road conditions.

Once you feel confident about your tire quality, what else can a consumer do to prepare for peace of mind holiday driving?
1) Watch for inflation: Proper tire inflation is essential for increased automotive safety, optimum driving performance and helping achieve optimum fuel economy. As the weather changes your tire pressure fluctuates. The rule of thumb is for every 10° Fahrenheit change in air temperature, your tire's inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi (up with higher temperatures and down with lower). 2) Breathe Easy!: The cooler air and breeze of the holiday season may feel good, but to your car, it may still be choking on all that sand and dust and gunk it sucked in over the summer. Replacing your air filter can improve a car’s performance. And it won’t just save you money in the short-term; it will also help protect your engine by keeping these harmful impurities out. When your engine is running properly, there is less chance of a breakdown. 3) Might be Time for an Oil Change: Every vehicle is different and each manufacturer requires the oil to be changed at different intervals or mileage points. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Get your oil changed to help ensure your vehicle is running as smooth as possible for your holiday getaways. 4) Don’t Let a Little Rain Get You Down: 90 percent of driving decisions are based on vision. Replacing your wiper blades insures proper vision in acclimate weather conditions. It can rain--or snow--heavily at anytime. With that in mind, inspect your wiper blades before your trip and replace them if they are cracked, torn, cut or streaking. 5)Take Charge: The last thing you want on a holiday getaway is to be stuck on the side of the road with a dead car. You can prevent this by making sure your battery is running at the correct levels by testing for this with a voltage regulator. Also check that the battery terminals are clean and in good condition, and that the cables are secure. The alternative is to take it to a local service center and have it checked there.
Thank you Paul Dickinson, and the entire Goodyear team, for giving me the chance to learn about quality tires and the best steps to take for holiday driving.
Where will you be driving this holiday season?