Check your car before leaving town

Before packing the car with luggage and gifts for the long winter break drive home, check the car, and check it twice to find out if it is naughty or nice.

Jack Floyd, crime prevention officer with the Texas Tech Police Department, said someone should do several things before hitting the road, especially in the winter when snow is an all but rare phenomenon. "When you're driving in the snow, drive in low speed (and) do not slam on your breaks," he said. "You might want to pump your breaks (if the car starts to skid)." Prior to departure, Floyd said making sure the car is in good working order is a good idea. "You might want to stop by a mechanic," he said. "Check your tire pressure and make sure it's right. Plan your trip."

Ahead of leaving, call family or friends and let them know the estimated time of arrival, Floyd said, and let them know the intended route of travel. "Just in case they have to look for you," he said, "they will know where to look." There are advisable items, Floyd said, to keep in someone's car. "You might want to take a blanket with you in case your car breaks down," he said. "( Keep) snacks, a flashlight and water."

Although possibly helpful in a blizzard, military rations, meals-ready-to-eat, are not necessary to keep in a car. "I doubt you guys would spend days inside your car," Floyd said. Scott Egert, owner of Scott's Car Care, said they check students' cars for free to make sure everything is in proper order.

"When people travel, usually their car is the most neglected thing," he said. "What we recommend they do is bring it in to a place like ours. We do it for free." Tires, brakes and fluid levels, Egert said, should all be checked before leaving town. "We do what we call a trip check. We look the car over," he said. "It takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes."

Getting a car checked out should not be done on the way out of town, Egert said, but rather about a week before leaving. "One of the problems is people do pull in (on their way out of town), and there is a problem, and they don't have enough time," he said. "Don't do it on your way out of town."

One item, often overlooked, is a spare tire, Egert said, and it should definitely be checked, along with all the components it takes to change a spare. "Anyone who gets broken down on the highway, call the police department in the closest town," he said. "Always use your police department." if a car breaks down and is in running order, leave it running with the lights and flashers on, Egert said, and if the car is not in running order, then leave flashers on and lock the doors.

"It doesn't take a lot of time to get (your car checked out before leaving town)," he said. "We're willing to do anything we can." An important thing to have in a car, if available, Egert said, is a cell phone, along with a flashlight, water, snacks and a blanket. A TechAnnounce from the Tech Police Department has many tips for driving during the winter break. Recommendations include considering membership in an automobile association like AAA, avoiding nighttime driving, driving defensively and keep alert at all times.

"Plan ahead," Floyd said. "Allow a little more time for travel."

© 2004 University Daily