‘Tis the season for road trips and your Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) are sharing ways to ensure a safe—and clean experience. Whether it’s driving across the Valley to attend a holiday party or spending several hours to reach your destination, here are some cheap, easy ways to keep your car clean and your packages organized during holiday road trips.


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Laundry basket(s)

·      Protect gift wrapped items by placing them in a laundry basket in your trunk. They won’t slide around and you can quickly identify which gift belongs to the right person. 

·      This hack can be used year-round to store kids’ sports gear, groceries and other items. Skip multiple trips from the car to your home and simply carry the basket.  

 Muffin liners

·      No need to worry about crumbs or drips in your cup holders when you use silicone muffin holders. Just remove and wash when needed.

Empty tissue box

·      Don’t like the idea of keeping a trash bag in your car? An empty tissue box can collect gum wrappers and other small items. 

·      You can also stuff the box with a couple plastic bags for larger items.

Before you hit the road, NARPRO suggests you:

Check lights and wipers

·      Be sure other drivers can see your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals.

·      If wipers have cracks or show signs of wear, it’s time to replace. 

Check battery

·      The average lifespan of a car battery in Arizona is less than three years. Just because it survived the summer doesn’t mean it’ll last through your holiday road trips. A NARPRO mechanic can perform a professional examination.

Check tires

·      As the temps drop, your tire pressure light is more likely to come on. For every 10 -degree drop in temperature, tire pressure drops about 1 psi. 

·      Research by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that tires age faster in warmer climates. Cracks, bulging and worn tread can lead to big problems.

·      NARPRO can help determine how old your tires are and how to be sure you’re buying the ‘freshest’ tires.

Check filters

·      Besides affecting airflow and quality in your car, dirty filters can also hurt fuel efficiency and overall performance.

If you’re heading to the high country:  

Test your cold weather gear

·      Are your chains in good shape? How’s the air in your spare? Got fresh batteries in the flashlight?

·      If you have four-wheel drive that wasn’t used during the summer, make sure the system engages and disengages easily and that all the drivers in your house know how and when to activate the system.

Get the right antifreeze mix

·      To prevent freezing, you need the correct antifreeze (coolant) with distilled (not tap) water. Antifreeze can be purchased premixed or concentrated.

·      An inexpensive antifreeze tester at an auto parts store will help you determine if the mixture is correct and your Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) can test your coolant level of protection, pH balance and electrolysis. They can also properly dispose of antifreeze, which cannot be poured down a drain.

 Eyes on the tank

·      Be sure to keep the gas tank as full as possible to prevent the gas lines from freezing.

Be smart about stopping

·      If you have car trouble, avoid stopping in or near travel lanes. 

·      Aim for an area where the vehicle can be safely removed.

·      If your car can’t be moved, raise the front hood and turn on hazard lights.

An emergency kit for your trunk should include:

·     Blanket, boots, gloves and extra clothing

·     Mobile phone, charging cable and back-up power pack.

·     Extra water and food, including hard candies

·     Ice scraper and small shovel

·     Flashlight with fresh batteries

·     Windshield wipers and washer fluid

·     Flares and/or reflectors

·     Jumper cables

·     Tire chains

·     Tire gauge, spare tire and tire-changing equipment

·     First aid kit

·     A bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if tires get stuck in snow.