When you drive home for the celebrations, you have to fight holiday traffic and the harsh winter conditions on the road. To learn how you can get home safely this holiday season, read this post by Lee ; Rita Downhill in Frankford.

The end of the year brings with it a slew of exciting celebrations (from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah and from Kwanza and Christmas to New Year's Eve). These special days are made even better if you spend them with friends and family. You can eat delicious food and create new memories with the people you love the most. However, if you have moved away from your hometown (which many people have), the holiday season means making a journey back to them. This comes with more challenges than regular long-distance driving. Not only do you have to fight holiday traffic and drowsy driving, but you also have to endure the slippery, snowy roads and the shorter, darker days. To make sure you will make it to your destination safely and you'll be able to have an incredible holiday season with your friends and family, continue reading the post below.

Call Lee ; Rita Downhill in Frankford at (613) 398-1144 or browse AMSOIL's online store to get your vehicle ready for your holiday driving with the best products for its maintenance.

How to Drive Home Safely during the Holiday Season

Ensure Your Vehicle Works Perfectly

Ensuring your vehicle works perfectly is the first and most important tip to make a long, wintery, trafficked drive back to your hometown. After all, a malfunctioning vehicle could leave you stranded out in the cold and ruin your celebrations. To that end, before you leave, take your vehicle to a mechanic. Let them know you want to go on a road trip, so they can provide the maintenance your vehicle needs to endure the ride.

An essential part of your vehicle's maintenance is feeding your engine with AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil, the most effective synthetic oil in Frankford.

Start Driving Early

Of course, you have to plan when you're going, the route you're taking, who's driving, and more. However, you should know that it's a good idea to start driving earlier in the day. This is why:

• since the light is scarce this time of year, starting early will help you take full advantage of the sunshine
• the sunshine will also keep you energized for your drive
• starting early will help you avoid being pressed for time
• lastly, it will help you beat some of the holiday traffic

Take the Winter Conditions Into Account

As stated above, the snow and ice make the roads more slippery, and the darker and shorter days make visibility more challenging. This can be dangerous, so you could take the winter conditions into account as you drive:

• always pay attention to the road
• be a gentler, slower driver
• create more distance between your vehicle and everything around you
• always drive with your headlights on
• avoid hills
• keep an emergency kit with blankets, jackets, and a first aid kit

Make sure your vehicle will endure the drive with help from AMSOIL's full line of high-quality products. Call Lee ; Rita Downhill in Frankford at (613) 398-1144 or browse AMSOIL's online store to place an order.

Do Not Engage in Road Rage

Road rage can mess up your mental well-being and lead to more car accidents on the road. Since you will be facing increased holiday traffic, you should do your best to avoid it:

• plan your outings well so you can take the right route, have enough time, and feel more relaxed
• keep a zen environment in your car so you can avoid the chaos outside
• learn to let a few little things and inconveniences go
• don't engage in the road rage directed at you

Rest When Needed

Lastly, it's of the utmost importance that you avoid drowsy driving. Going long distances can be exhausting, but falling asleep behind the wheel can have horrible consequences. To avoid it:

• rest whenever you need it. Take breaks every couple of hours to eat, go to the bathroom and stretch your legs.
• if you're feeling exhausted, have a more energetic driver take the wheel
• if there's no one else, stop in a safe spot to rest and recharge
• do not trust sugar and caffeine to keep you up

If you want to guarantee your vehicle will beat holiday traffic, call Lee ; Rita Downhill in Frankford at (613) 398-1144 or browse AMSOIL's online store to place an order on AMSOIL's top-quality product for its maintenance.