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Earth Gauge: Holiday Travel Tips

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By Nick Piesco - email

AAA projects that more than 92 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the year-end holidays, and nine out of ten will make that trip in a car. If you are hitting the road, make sure you aren't one of the 1.4 million stranded motorists AAA expects to help during the Christmas to New Year holiday driving period.

  • Check the battery. Make sure connections are secure, and clean away corrosion on the battery and clamps. Have your battery tested if it's out of warranty and replace it if needed.
  • Check your belts and hoses. Cracked or frayed belts can mean trouble. Look for worn, brittle or bulging hoses. See questionable belts or hoses? See a mechanic to have them checked out.
  • Check your antifreeze and other fluids, like windshield wiper fluid.
  • Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so make sure your tires are inflated to the pressure recommended in your owner's manual.

Download CDC's Car Emergency Kit Checklist for a list of items to keep on hand in case you become stranded: www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/pdf/caremergencychecklist.pdf.

(Sources: IHS Global Insight and AAA. "AAA 2010-11 Year-End Holidays Travel Forecast." and AAA, "More than 1.4 million Stranded Holiday Drivers Expected by AAA." Both available from www.aaanewsroom.net)

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