On your next vacation, wouldn’t it be nice if someone or something else could do some of the thinking for you? Smart cars are becoming more clever than ever, and from easier parking, lower fuel costs, and easy city travel to improved navigation and satellite connection, we will go over some of the main tips for getting the most out of your smart car while traveling.
Prepare For Your Trip With Your Smart Car
One of the best things about smart cars is that you can use them to program and plan out routes ahead of time. But there are some other things you should make sure you take care of before your trip to maximize your use of your smart car.
Before you leave, make sure that everything is charged properly, and check that you have the best insurance for a smart car. Smart cars can have slightly different insurance needs, though usually, they need liability at a minimum, the same as other vehicles do.
You might be wondering, “Are smart cars cheap to insure?” Insurance costs for smart vehicles can vary, and sometimes their premiums can be lower than premiums for non-smart cars.
As a general rule, this is because smart cars are often cheaper than other cars, making them cheaper to replace. In addition, lower maintenance costs and safety measures also can add to your insurance discount.
Make sure that you look into what the cheapest insurance will be before you leave on a trip, and think about getting roadside assistance coverage if an accident or breakdown occurs on the road. Also, make sure you know how to change a tire yourself if you get a flat.
Plan Your Route
If your car is primarily electric, you will also need to know exactly where you can charge it. This is important for hybrid vehicles too. In addition, it’s a good idea to use your car’s location rather than your smartphone’s location when planning a trip. This maximizes your EV trip planning feature if you have one.
Make sure your route is showing you all your charging points and double-check the steepness, weather patterns, and traffic on your chosen route through another source as well.
In addition to checking where you can charge, you can also look into getting solar panels to charge an electric car. Solar inverters can help you along your trip, though you will want to plan out stopping points where you can rest and enjoy your surroundings while your EV recharges.
Think about stopping at places to camp and take in the view or explore the surrounding areas for as long as it takes your car to recharge. You could also plan day trips around major cities where there are charging stations, while passing on those locations that might be fun but don’t have charging available for your vehicle.
Pack Lightly to Save Space in Your Car
Smart car owners will also want to pack maps and other navigation tools just in case their car has issues with navigation, though this isn’t likely. Pack easy to access compact snacks, and try to avoid messy open containers or lots of complicated equipment.
As far as luggage and clothes go, you will want to err on the side of “less is more.” Smart cars are notorious for their small size and compact space. You want to bring as little luggage as possible. In addition, when planning your route, you will want to emphasize well-kept roads and avoid meandering mountain and country paths.
Smart cars can often handle a lot more non-city streets than people give them credit for. Consider taking some longer spins out onto the countryside before you attempt a full car trip, just to see how it handles.
During Your Trip
The biggest issue with a smart car is that many of the smaller ones cap at 90 mph and may struggle with keeping up with traffic even at the 70-80 mph range. Most of them will be able to merge on and off of highways just fine, but it’s a good idea to stay alert and be careful at interchanges.
Be careful with steep inclines and avoid routes with heavy snowfall. If you are carrying a lot of luggage in your smart car, or extra passengers, you may have trouble getting above 40 mph, depending on your vehicle and the incline. So be ready to take things slow and have alternate routes planned.
If you do find yourself on a single-lane road with bigger, faster cars piling up behind you, pull over when you have an opportunity to and let them pass. Be patient and willing to take it easy and wait for a few moments if you need to.
Stay Focused on the Road While Driving a Smart Car
Long stretches of the road can hypnotize and bore drivers. No car is ever fully driverless, no matter how smart or capable the artificial intelligence is. Always make sure you are paying attention to your surroundings and bring gum or caffeinated beverages to keep yourself awake. Try playing loud music if you are dropping off.
If for any reason you are struggling with focusing on the road or staying awake, pull over to rest for a little while. It is better to be safe than sorry.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy a road trip with a smart car or a tiny electric vehicle. Whatever your car’s specs, do your research beforehand. Your car can do a lot for you, from helping to plan routes to driving itself at short stretches, but in the end, you have to be the brains behind your vehicle.
Beyond these tips, most other rules for preparing your car for a road trip still apply with smart cars. Check your tires beforehand and make sure the oil is changed. Fill up your windshield fluid and consider washing your car before and after your trip.
By taking the time to prepare beforehand, you will be well able to have a fun, safe, and relaxing road trip in your smart vehicle. If this is your first time using your smart car’s navigation system, try to do some test drives in your area first.
Deborah Goldberg writes and researches about driver safety for the car insurance comparison site, CarInsurance101.com. She is passionate about consumer protection and legal transparency for car owners.