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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2019)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2019 | 9A How seniors can safely stay behind the wheel A greater sense of indepen- dence is often cited as the reason so many young people anxious- ly await the day they earn their drivers’ licenses. But the connec- tion between driving and inde- pendence is not lost on seniors, either. Aging can take its toll on driv- ers, prompting such drivers’ fam- ilies to feel as if their loved ones’ ability to safely operate motor vehicles has been compromised. However, many seniors can still safely operate motor vehicles, and those who do can take steps to ensure they’re as safe as possible behind the wheel. • Avoid driving on days when aches and pains are strong. Aches and pains are common side ef- fects of aging, and seniors know that some days are better than others. Seniors’ ability to control their vehicles may be compro- mised on days when stiffness, aches or pains seem partic- ularly strong, so it’s best to avoid driving during these times. Fatigue may set in on days when aches and pains require extra effort to perform rel- atively sim- ple tasks, and drivers of all ages should avoid driving while tired. • Don’t skip medical checkups. Few seniors may look forward to their medical checkups, but vis- its to the doctor can reveal issues that can help seniors be safer on the road. Schedule routine vision exams so eyeglass prescriptions are always up-to-date. In addi- tion, seniors should discuss hear- ing screenings with their physi- cians so they can ensure they can always hear sirens and other mo- torists while on the road. Great strides have been made in regard to helping people with fading hearing hear better, and seniors would be wise to take advantage of such advancements, which in- Develop a vehicle maintenance schedule The sudden expense of vehicle repairs can throw monthly budgets into disar- ray. Maintaining a routine service schedule is one way for drivers to keep repair costs down. The online automotive resources Edmunds.com says many car owners do not adequately prepare for scheduled maintenance, and may not give maintenance a thought until it’s too late. The first step drivers take upon purchasing a new or pre- owned vehicle should be to familiarize themselves with the vehicle’s owner’s manual, which is filled with valuable information and likely in- cludes maintenance interval recommendations. Next, drivers should learn about their vehicle, which is particularly relevant when buying a preowned vehicle. Getting to know how the car or truck rides, as well as any sounds it may make, can provide drivers with a solid foundation they can then use to keep their cars running strong. Routine service typical- ly includes tire rotation, oil changes and topping off of fluids. So just how long be- tween service appointments can a car go? Here are some generalized estimates. • Oil change: Drivers should err on the side of cau- tion if they do a lot of stop- and-go driving and short trips. Other drivers may want to invest in vehicles that have oil change maintenance minders built in. A light or countdown will come on the dashboard, indicating when the oil has reached the end of its usefulness. • Tire rotation: Rotating tires helps prolong the life of the tires and alleviates un- even tread and wear. During the rotation, each tire is re- moved and relocated to a different position to ensure that all the tires will wear evenly. Michelin Tires states that tires should be rotated around every six months, or between 6,000 and 8,000 miles. • Vehicle fluids: Your best bet is to see what the man- ufacturer recommends in regard to fluids such as trans- mission fluid, differential oil, brake fluids, coolant, etc. Some transmissions need regular maintenance, while others can go 150,000 miles between changes, according to the vehicle information site The Drive. Coolant typically can last 100,000 miles. For these types of changes, it may be best to go to a mechanic or service center familiar with your make and model rather than a quick-lube center, as knowing when to drain and refill can be more complicat- ed. Service schedules can be designed to adhere to manu- facturers’ recommendations and drivers’ personal prefer- ences. Cel 70 ebra + Y tin ear g s! 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If the side effects of a new prescription are making it difficult to safely op- erate a vehicle, discuss potential alternatives with your physician. • Avoid driving in certain con- ditions. Driving in inclement weather, during rush hour and at night makes many drivers un- comfortable, regardless of their age. But such conditions can be especially dangerous for aging drivers whose vision and reac- tion times might be fading. Se- niors who avoid driving in harsh conditions and heavy traffic may be more comfortable behind the wheel, thereby reducing their risk of accident or injury. Seniors need not give up their drivers’ licenses at the first signs of aging. But adjusting certain behaviors and exercising ex- tra caution can help these men and women stay safe behind the wheel. Prepare for an out-of-town breakdown Though no one wants to think about the possibility of a vehicle breakdown while out of town, such things do happen. How prepared driv- ers are can go a long way toward determining how affected they will be if this happens. • Get a checkup before skipping town. Many drivers may overlook the importance of vehicle checkups before de- parting on weekend getaways or longer trips. A full check- up can uncover any problems that might derail a trip. • Examine your options in regard to emergency roadside assistance. Insurance provid- ers typically offer emergency roadside assistance to policy holders for a nominal fee, and memberships in clubs such as AAA are inexpensive. Drivers should note that out-of-town repairs may re- quire costly overnight shipping of parts so travelers can get back on the road as quickly as possible. Roadside assistance offered through an insurance company or motor club may include tow trucks free of charge up to a certain num- ber of miles, allowing travelers to get their cars back home without breaking the bank. • Inspect tires, including your spare. Many a road trip has been derailed or thrown off schedule due to a flat tire or tires. Before departing, check the condition of your existing tires, including the spare, as well as the air pres- sure in each one. Many vehicle manufac- turers recommend replacing tires at six years, regardless of tread wear. Tires that get heavy usage should be re- placed even more frequently. To determine if tread wear is something to worry about, Firestone recommends the penny test, which involves placing a penny head first into several tread grooves across the tire. If the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head is always visible, then your tires are shallow and worn and need to be replaced. But if part of Lincoln’s head is al- ways covered, your tires can probably withstand the trip. • Bring along some ba- sic tools. Pack some basic tools, such as screw drivers, wrenches, pliers, a trolley jack, a battery charger and, of course, duct tape, which may help you temporarily solve some issues on your own. This is especially important for drivers who intend to visit remote locations where mo- bile phone networks may be inaccessible and the nearest tow truck might be far away. Hone your tire-changing skills before hitting the road and make sure tools are still capable of performing the kind of basic maintenance that might help your vehicle safely return to civilization. Vehicle breakdowns hap- pen, even while on vacation. Some advance preparation can help drivers avert out-of- town disasters. Take a Look. You’ll Like What You See! J & J Automotive is expanding! Same great service Same Owner, Stan Lang Complete Auto & Truck Repair We have expanded our distributors off ering you many more choices in parts for lift kit, light kits, tires, wheels, accessories and so much more! 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