Before you potentially hit the open road to visit family for Thanksgiving, Mr. Transmission and Milex Complete Auto Care have some tips to keep your family safe this holiday season.
As COVID-19 numbers spike throughout the United States, Americans are changing their typical Thanksgiving travel plans and creating new traditions. Many states are limiting the number of people allowed to gather in one place to help flatten the curve, and the Centers for Disease Control recommends families enjoy virtual Thanksgiving celebrations. If people do choose to celebrate with family, the CDC recommends eating outdoors, wearing masks, and frequent handwashing. The American Automobile Association estimates a decrease in Thanksgiving travel of 9.7 percent as more people stay at home.
While 2020 marks the first time in 11 years that fewer people will travel for Thanksgiving, 50.6 million people will still leave home to enjoy turkey dinner with family. An increasing number of holiday travelers are planning to drive for safety reasons and flexibility, according to AAA.
Thanksgiving is usually one of the busiest weeks for airport travel in the United States. Last year, more than 4.6 million people were expected to take a flight home for the holiday. Yet, air travel for Thanksgiving this year is expected to drop by nearly half, with only 2.4 million people booking flights to fly home for the holiday. More people will also be motivated to hit the road this year with the average gas price nearly 50 less per gallon than a year ago.
Make sure to pack your elastic waist pants so you can enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and follow the advice of our automotive experts to have a safe holiday enjoying the company of your family and friends. Car care experts with Mr. Transmission and Milex Complete Auto Care have tips for travelers preparing to be on the road this holiday season.
Know Before You Go. Research the state and local regulations along your route and at your planned destination to learn about any travel restrictions that may be in place.
Pack a Safety Kit. Create a safety kit that includes face masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and a thermometer to help protect and monitor your health.
Bring Snacks. Consider packing a cooler with water and snacks to reduce the number of stops during your trip.
Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Make sure to wash your hands frequently. Use hand sanitizer every time you enter the car. This is an especially important practice after stopping for a bathroom break or filling the car with gas.
Keep Car Germ-Free. Use disinfecting wipes to frequently clean common touchpoints, such as the steering wheel, door handles, seat belts, key fobs, window buttons, radio and climate control buttons, and more. According to a survey by CarRentals.com, there are roughly 700 different strains of bacteria living in the average vehicle, and the average steering wheel is four times dirtier than a public toilet seat.
Prepare Your Car.AAA expects it will have to rescue at least 413,000 people on the roads this Thanksgiving when their cars break down or they get a flat tire. Prior to any long road trip, it is important to check each of the car’s vital engine fluids, such as transmission, coolants, braking, and steering. If it has been more than 3,000 miles since your car’s engine oil has been replaced, make sure to get it done before heading out. Check your vehicle’s battery — most have a lifespan of four to five years. Air filters need to be changed every 15,000 miles, and tires should be properly inflated to improve gas mileage.
Get your car ready for Thanksgiving travel by visiting the nearest Milex Complete Auto Care or Mr. Transmission location, where the experts can help ensure you have a safe holiday road trip.