Reach your holiday destination without any obstacles!

Me and Moje Auto

Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

When to go on a trip?

 This should definitely be the first day of your vacation. If we leave right after work, not only will we be tired, but our mind will also be burdened with the events of the day. And they couldn't always go the way we wanted.

We all know that every moment on vacation is a waste of time, so do we leave in the morning or in the evening? I base it on the distance to the destination. However, I prefer to drive towards the sun, even if it is before it rises. In my case, functioning during the day is more natural.

Some people on longer trips, especially with children, will choose the evening. For the youngest, the natural behavior will be time to sleep. No matter how you look at it, it is a very comfortable situation for the driver.

How often to take a break?

It used to be recommended to make stops every two hours. Today this seems to be a big exaggeration because, firstly, we travel in much more modern cars, and secondly, we drive on better roads. Both of these things significantly increase our comfort, but it should always be an individual decision of each driver. And if we are not alone, then also our substitutes, with whom we will share the route in advance.

(photo: My Car)

Currently, gas stations have taken over the functions of roadside parking lots. Their network is dense enough, so we do not have to plan parking places. The exception are highways and expressways, when traveling on them we must take into account the fuel supply and the range of our car. I must admit honestly that I follow one more rule here. If I need to refuel my car while driving on the highway, I choose stations located outside them, because the price differences can be significant. In this case - especially abroad - I use navigation suggestions.

But let's get back to the breaks in the journey. It is worth spending this time actively, especially getting out of the car and stretching your bones. Doing a few bends certainly won't hurt. The second mandatory point is the toilet, the third - especially for drivers like me - coffee! It's not worth going back to the car with her right away. Ten minutes of enjoying its taste in a cafe, or even better outdoors, will have a good effect on our well-being.

By definition I also exclude eating in the car. The only thing I have at hand while driving is a small water bottle.

When traveling in a larger group, you need to take into account the needs of everyone. I know, sometimes it takes a lot of patience, but above all, let's put it into ensuring a good atmosphere in the car. And children also have their own whims.

And let's not forget about the animals. Apart from a carrier suitable for our pet, a water bowl and a supply of food are a must-have set. Let's go for a short walk with him, apart from his physiological needs, we will improve our circulation.

Let's also remember about the car!

The basis for a successful trip is a functional car, such preparations have already been mentioned in previous blog entries. However, this does not exempt us from systematic control while driving, especially the engine operating temperature, and therefore the fluid in the cooling system. The correct reading should be between 90-100 degrees Celsius.

(photo: My Car)

When parked, give the engine a few minutes to cool down and check the coolant level in the expansion tank and the engine oil level. If it is too high or too low, wait another few minutes and check again. When the level is low, you need to top up the level - that's why there are one-liter containers of fluid and oil in my trunk. This will be a mandatory activity at the next stop. A second drop may mean the beginning of a more serious failure.

However, I assume that these are extreme cases. The bulb is more likely to burn out. Therefore, the lighting condition should be our next activity in the parking lot. The advantage of a gas station is the possibility of buying a new bulb (I always carry a spare set in the trunk) and possible assistance in replacing it. And finally, check the air pressure in the wheels and wash the windows and headlight lenses.

(photo: My Car)

Before setting off on your journey, do not forget to check the attendance list of your fellow passengers. Pleasant holiday!