Car care, road trip tips for the Holy Week
Holy Week is a good opportunity to take that sports car for a leisure drive. On this photo is a Nissan GTR driving through Patapat Viaduct which has scenic views of the Ilocos coast and the Cordirella Mountain Range. Photo courtesy of Rodolfo Christian Fariñas III
MANILA, Philippines — Are you going on a road trip this Holy Week? Make sure that your trip would be safe before you embark on it.
Going on a road trip means long hours of driving to get from one destination to another, so it is important for your car to be in tiptop shape to avoid car breakdowns and accidents.
This is why Prestone, a brand in auto car fluids since 1927, urges everyone to perform a thorough check before setting off on that Holy Week adventure.
Here are the checks that you need to do before you hit the road:
Do a comprehensive research on your route.
This will enable you to identify traffic hotspots so you can plan your rest stops and make arrangements for them, if necessary.
Make sure your RFID sticker is in working order. This is especially important if your destination requires you to pass superhighways or expressways where the RFID system is in place.
A working RFID will make for seamless and secure transactions during toll payments, promising a more convenient travel experience. Don't forget to securely stick your RFID sticker to avoid non-detection and register it under the vehicle owner's name for accountability.
Check the necessary fluids of your car.
Road trips can take a toll on your vehicle, so careful preparation is key to avoiding trouble.
Check your water. Fill it up. Prevent overheating on the road by adding a coolant, such as the Prestone Car-Specific Coolant for protection. This pre-diluted coolant is ideal for emergency refills and is equipped with its own anti-corrosion technology.
It is also recommended to equip your ride with a powerful brake fluid that helps protect your brakes against overheating, brake fade and performance decline.
Make sure you use only high-quality and genuine car care products.
During a Holy Week road trip, ensuring your vehicle is in its best possible condition is crucial, and this won't happen if you use subpar or counterfeit car products.
There are ways to take note against fake products.
You can look for the packaging as this can be tricky. Fake ones mimic the appearance of the genuine item at first glance. In the case of the Prestone brake fluid and coolant, the fake one have these features: ‘CLUTCH SYSTEM’ in the back label becomes one word, the dots of the letters used for the batch code are glaring, cap logo is smaller and the ® symbol in the foil text is bigger.
For fake coolants, the cap logo is smaller, the ® symbol in the foil text is bigger and the bottle base has no cavity number.
Another thing to watch out for is the pricing. Significantly cheaper products are likely to be fake compared to genuine. If they are marketed as discounts, double-check if the brand is having a promotional sale. If not, it's probably fake.
Some brands can be purchased from official partner stores and auto-supply shops nationwide. Make sure to buy them from these said stores.
These reminders not only save potential costs but also save lives, as fake products only aim to make money and have no care for consumers’ protection and safety.
The best Holy Week vacation begins with meticulous planning and maintaining your car in optimal condition. By being careful, you will not only guarantee a delightful journey but also elevate your driving experience as you embark on that Holy Week road trip.
RELATED: Road trip tips for Holy Week
