5 Things to Keep in Mind When Driving Through the Mountains

Our beautiful country offers majestic mountain ranges throughout many of the states. Whether you have the privilege of living near any of these breathtaking peaks or you just travel through them on a vacation, they present some unique driving challenges. Keep these things in mind to ensure you have the opportunity to enjoy the trip without any incidents.

Make sure your car is mechanically ready. Top off fluids, fill up the tank with gas, check to see if the defrost and heat settings are working and make sure the brakes are in good shape before entering the hills.

Keep both hands on the steering wheel. The topography of mountains often produces some unexpected cross-winds that can catch you off guard.

Slow down, increase your following distance and stay on your side of the road. Sharp curves make it difficult to see what's up ahead. These three things help keep you in control of your car and ensures that you have enough time to react should you encounter a situation with a car or wildlife.

Keep an eye on your vehicle's engine temperature. If it starts creeping up, turn off air conditioning and turn on the heat to pull some of the warmth away from the engine. Find a safe place to park if the temperature gauge continues to climb.

If you want to enjoy the view, find a place to pull over. There are usually plenty of scenic parking areas where you can take in the view and snap some photos.

Driving through the mountains makes for a beautiful ride, but it can also be extremely challenging. Keep these tips in mind and be prepared for the unexpected when driving through any mountain range. And of course, before you do any traveling by car, make sure your auto insurance policy is in force.

Your safety is our priority. Call Auto Insurance Discounters at (816) 252-2255 for more information on Kansas City auto insurance.

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