As the end of summer and Labor Day approach, many of us are planning our final family road trips.   When you are packing the whole family up for a trip, it's important to plan something that is enjoyable for your family, but also cost efficient and most importantly, safe. Center Subaru has a few tips to help along the way!

 

1. Take your car into a dealership for an oil change, fluid check, and tire pressure check.  Your car can be your best friend or worst enemy on a road trip, and it's important that everything is up to date to avoid mechanical malfunctions and mishaps.  Ask Center Subaru for a multi-point inspection to diagnose any other issues. Several times a year, we will even do this for free! Bottom line: Take great care of your car, and it will take great care of you.

 

2.  Shop around for gas.  That's right, shop around for it.  You don't necessarily need to go to the gas station closest to your home.  Check out apps like "Gas Buddy," to help you find which stations close to you are offering the least expensive gas.   You can also take the time to calculate your gas cost to make sure it's in your budget.  Visit a website like http://fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com/ to help plan and budget gas costs for your trip.

 

3.  Bring your technology with you? but also bring the old reliable methods.  Smart phones and all the technology out there are a road tripper's dream.  There is an app for basically everything and the GPS and navigation features on smart phones are second to none.  However, you need a back up plan in case your technology fails from a dead zone, dead battery, malfunction, or other cause.  Bring all of the old reliable methods!  Make sure to always have a paper map, phone card, water, and cash in case of emergency.  There is no such thing as being too prepared.

 

4. Speaking of being prepared, join a road side rescue service, just in case!  These services will do many things such as meet you to change a tire, bring gas, or even tow your car in case of an emergency.  Subaru offers a two year/24,000 mile complimentary Roadside Assistance Program with all new vehicle purchases!  If you own a used car, AAA is also a great option to check.

 

5. To cut costs, bring your own snack food and drinks.  You know your family is going to get hungry along the way, and it's always great to be prepared.  Buying in bulk from a discount retailer will yield additional savings and help you to always be ready when the munchies hit your little ones.  Do you like being adventurous on your road trips and trying something you would not usually eat?  Stop at the local restaurants and diners for a unique experience that is typically cheaper than what you could find at a national fast food restaurant. 

 

6. Gas is expensive these days and the cost is rising every day.  In addition to shopping around for the best gas prices, take a look at how you are driving your car.  Your driving style can easily influence how much gas your vehicle uses.   One of the easiest ways to save money on gas is to make sure your tires are inflated properly.  Also, turn off the air conditioning for a period of time, and avoid cruise control and speeding.  Make sure you are driving within the laws of that state by paying attention to road signs.  A ticket is a quick and easy way to sabotage your budget plans!

 

It's easy to enjoy a great family road trip by just following a few simple tips for safety and savings!  We would love to hear any great road trip stories, comments or questions by emailing peyton@sojax.com.  Thanks for reading!

 

Your Friends at Center Subaru