Tag Archives: road trip

Editorial

Prepare for an Extended BMW Car Trip With These 6 Tips

Your powerful BMW and the open road — the temptation to head out on an extended trip is huge. However, preparation comes first and with good reason. You certainly don’t want to end up with car troubles because you didn’t do your basic checks or unhappy passengers since you didn’t pack snacks. 

These tips are sure to make your next long-distance drive an enjoyable experience as you and your Bimmer become besties. 

1. Service History Follow-Up

Your vehicle’s service history needs to be on schedule before you hit the freeway or “autobahn,” as the Germans would say. However, any responsible driver knows that they should always ensure that their car’s systems meet safety requirements. These are some of the things your service department should confirm before you head out.

  • Assess the brake system: Replace it if worn or making sounds and remember to replace the pad and rotar simultaneously to avoid vibrations and uneven wear.
  • Wheel specs: Check the tread depth, run surface and tire pressure rating — when correctly inflated, this can save you up to 11 cents per gallon on fuel.
  • Cabin filter and AC unit: Even blowing these out can improve the cabin environment, especially if you often drive on dirt roads.
  • Service book and date of the next service: If it’s due soon, book the service before the trip.

2. Pre-Trip Check 

You should always monitor your Bimmer’s engine systems. Inspect them when the car’s been stationary for an hour. Top up on the necessary fluids to ensure your vehicle continues purring down the highway. You should check:

  • Engine oil 
  • Brake fluid
  • Power steering fluid 
  • Battery water or polarity for sealed batteries
  • Cooling fluids
  • Windshield wiper fluid

3. Emergency Kit

Even though you’ve taken every precaution to ensure your car runs smoothly, you should also anticipate when it doesn’t. A tire could burst, run flat or even bend if you hit a large hole. You must have a spare and a repair kit for emergencies in the trunk. Your emergency prep should include:

  • A correctly inflated spare tire or emergency donut tire
  • A jack and the required tools to change a tire
  • Jumper cables in case you need a jump-start
  • Emergency road sign

4. Passenger Care 

Once you’ve taken care of your Bimmer’s essentials, look after you and your passengers’ needs. If you or a passenger develops motion sickness, you should know how to treat it and prevent discomfort. Keep a stocked first aid kit onboard. Some medications can help alleviate symptoms.

  •  Anti-nausea medication: Add over-the-counter treatments like Scopolamine and antihistamines.  
  • Nausea tips: Keep ice packs and snacks like saltine crackers and whole grain cereal bars on hand instead of eating heavy or greasy foods that can worsen motion sickness.
  • Energy conservation: When you are driving long hours, it’s important to rest, too. If you don’t alternate with another driver or stop frequently, it will exhaust you and compromise your immune system, possibly ruining your trip if you become ill. 
  • Extra water: Having extra drinking water is super helpful. The CDC recommends you travel with one gallon of water per person per day. 
  • Sundries: Hungry people get grumpy, so stock up on snacks and sodas before even leaving the driveway. Add a few comfortable pillows, blankets, towels, magazines and road-friendly games — especially if you have children onboard. 

5. Other Essentials

Additionally, you should take an updated map because you may not have reception for Google Maps everywhere. Check your music downloads don’t require connectivity to avoid awkward silences. 

Pack a sun visor for your Bimmer’s windshield to protect the dashboard if you park in the sun while sightseeing. While you’re busy packing, ensure you distribute the vehicle’s load evenly. Load equal weight on all sides to prevent disrupting the car’s center of gravity or applying too much pressure on one set of tires. 

The load distribution includes passengers, and you should balance it equally, with both sides of the car carrying similar “body load.”

White BMW driving down the road

6. Pit Stops

Every traveler needs pit stops, not just racing drivers. Stop for 15 minutes every two hours and relax for 45 minutes every four-and-a-half-hour section. Drivers need time to refocus, stretch their legs and recharge with a healthy snack. 

Use pitstops to cool your Bimmer’s engine, check coolant in excessively hot climates and clean the windshield so you have excellent visibility when continuing the journey. It’s tempting to confirm your tire pressure again, but after driving several miles, your tires are hot, affecting the reading. You should wait at least two hours for the tires to cool before getting an accurate reading. 

Enjoy the Drive

Your Bimmer is your pride and joy, and taking an extended trip is absolutely magical when you’ve done all your preparations. A vehicle with an updated service book, basic fluid and tire check in place and loads of delicious road snacks aboard is where journeys and memories start. 

Now you are ready to purr along one of the interstates or even a country backroad.

Editorial, Information

Planning a Cross-Country BMW Road Trip? Here Are a Few Things to Keep in Mind

You love your bimmer, and you’d rather be behind the wheel than just about anywhere. Why not combine your driving fun with vacation? Planning a cross-country BMW road trip is only slightly less fun than living out the dream. 

The ultimate escape deserves a mindful approach. Here’s what to keep in mind as you plan.

Gear Up 

The right supplies make smooth sailing even more enjoyable and transform major headaches into minor inconveniences. Ensure you cross the following items off your BMW road trip checklist before departure: 

  • Copies your license, registration and insurance, including enrolling in your state’s digital id program, if available where you live. Electronic copies make everything easier. 
  • A spare tire and repair kit, including flares, triangles and a jack. Many BMWs come with run-flat tires, which let you travel up to 50 miles at low speeds to reach a repair shop — no dangerous changes by the side of the road. 
  • A roadside emergency kit with reflective vest, rain poncho, tire pressure gauge, window breaker, some pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers and spare gas. 
  • A paper map, just in case, although many newer bimmers have built-in navigation systems. 
  • Auxilary and charging cables 
  • An ice scraper, de-icer and gloves 
  • Comfort supplies not otherwise in your luggage, such as a blanket if you must wait for roadside assistance in the cold, spare cash, snacks, toys for the kiddos and, most importantly, plenty of bottled water — especially if traveling through desert regions. 

Plan the Perfect Itinerary 

The journey is as important as the destination on a BMW road trip. On the east coast, Florida’s Overseas Highway connects the Florida Keys and features the Seven Miles Bridge, where you can pretend you’re Bond, James Bond. Finish in Key West and hobnob with the celebrity set. 

Out west, the Pacific Coast Highway or Route 101 provides breathtaking views of the world’s largest ocean. It’s also one of the safer routes in the Golden State, as the I-405, SR 60, I-10 and I-105 saw over 3,500 fatalities in 2018. Although you could theoretically make this 10-hour drive in a single day, why rush? Stop by the sleepy mountain town of Felton to visit the Bigfoot Museum or go hiking in the rugged mountains surrounding Big Sur to stretch your legs. 

What about America’s heartland? You can still get your kicks on Route 66 and see 2,448 miles of the nation’s countryside. If traveling as winter approaches with your kids, a stop in Williams, AZ is a must for the genuine Polar Express experience. If traveling earlier in the fall, get your tickets for the nation’s biggest rodeo. Of course, you must stop a bit further east and take your picture standing on the corner in Winslow, AZ. 

Although you’ll need to make a few detours on your way to Chicago, thanks to time taking its toll on the road, the side trips are all part of the fun. Remember, the fastest route isn’t necessarily the best, and your GPS system makes plugging in new directions a snap. The Meremec Caverns in Stanton, Missouri once stood as the underground hideout for Jesse James, and the Shea Gas Station Museum and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum await you in Illinois. 

White BMW driving down the road

Finding Lodging and Supplies 

If nothing else, you’ll need to refuel or charge your bimmer if you’re driving one of the newer all-electric models like the i4XDrive40 or i4M50. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of charging stations nearly anywhere you go. Making your reservations in advance and calling your hotel before you depart is always wise to ensure your accommodations meet your discriminating tastes. 

What if you just want to catch some quick shuteye without leaving your ride? Download an app such as Trucker’s Path or iOverlander before you depart to find the safest rest stops along your route. 

Timing Is Everything 

Another consideration for your BMW road trip is when to go. Of course, spontaneous types might throw a dart at a map, anytime, anywhere and go where the highway takes them. However, if, like most mere mortals, you have limited vacation time, combining your excursion to coincide with festivals and special events can make the journey extra memorable. Some up-and-coming fun to consider for the fall include: 

  • Elk Fest in Estes Park, Colorado, lets you see the massive beasts live and in the flesh while experiencing Native American performances. Stop for lunch at the Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining.” 
  • Salem, MA, is the ultimate Halloween destination for lovers of all things spooky. Can you communicate with the ghost of Giles Corey and others from beyond the grave? 
  • Oktoberfest Zinzinatti brings America’s heartland alive with German music, dance and, of course, fantastic beers and microbrews. 

Planning a Cross-Country BMW Road Trip 

When it comes to your next getaway, make the journey as much fun as the destination. Planning a cross-country BMW road trip marries your love of your ride and the open road with whatever destination you choose. Enjoy the best drives America has to offer in your bimmer.

Car Care

Taking a Road Trip in Your BMW: 7 Tips

In spite of what popular media might tell you, going on a road trip isn’t something that you should do spontaneously or on a whim.

A bit of preparation can mean the difference between a successful trip and getting stranded somewhere on the side of the road without cell service.

If you’re planning on taking your BMW on a road trip sometime soon, here are some tips to get you started.

1. Start at the Shop

Before you head out onto any road trip, your first step should be to make a trip to your favorite mechanic. Have them give your car a once-over and ensure that everything is in good working order. Start with an oil change and tire rotation, unless you’ve had it done recently.

A multipoint inspection should cover the rest of your bases, from cooling and other fluids to brake and all other major systems.

It might sound like a simple step but if you want to ensure a successful trip, don’t skip your pre-departure inspection.

2. Pack Smart

You’re going to need to pack everything that you’ll need for the trip into your BMW, but don’t just start shoving supplies anywhere that they might fit.

You need to be able to easily access the important stuff like food and clothing, without having to dig through your entire car trying to get your hands on the things that you’ll need. Plan out how you’re going to pack your car, and don’t overfill your cargo spaces.

3. Skip the Fast Food

Fast food is convenient but it’s not really what you want to eat your entire trip. Instead of filling your car with McDonald’s burger wrappers, consider finding a nice quiet spot and breaking out a portable grill. Not only will your food taste better, but you’ll save quite a bit of money by not eating out.

If you’re worried about being able to clean up the grill after you eat, pack some aluminum foil. A ball of foil on a hot grill can work wonders and while it won’t be spotless, it will be clean enough to eat off of or cook on again when you’re ready to stop for your next meal.

4. Plan Your Route

Just jumping in the car and driving might sound like a fun way to be spontaneous, but in reality, it’s a good way to get yourself stranded miles from the nearest gas station when you run out of fuel. Take some time to plan out your route.

Even if you don’t want to plan the entire trip, leaving your final destination up to the whims of the highway, take the time to plan out your day or your next few hours. Pay attention to what’s along your route, from tourist attractions to food and fuel stops to keep you from getting stranded.

5. Figure Out Where to Stop

Stopping often isn’t just good for stretching your legs. If you’re traveling alone or you’re the only driver, you need to have plans in place for stopping for the night. You don’t necessarily need a hotel or motel in every city.

There are plenty of places that allow overnight parking if you’re camping in your car or using a car tent. Just don’t push yourself too hard — driving after being awake for 24 hours is roughly equivalent to driving with a 0.10 blood alcohol level, according to the Sleep Foundation. You might not get a DUI, but your reaction times and judgment are just as impaired.

6. Plan for Exterior Storage

If you’re planning to sleep in your car, make sure you have a way to store your supplies safely and securely outside your vehicle. Otherwise, you might find yourself jammed into whatever extra space you can find, which makes it more difficult to sleep comfortably.

If you have the option, a cargo rack or roof container can be incredibly useful. If that isn’t an option, a locked box and a bicycle chain to lock it to your vehicle could be just as effective, keeping people from making off with your supplies in the night.

7. Leave Only Footprints

This is the golden rule when it comes to things like camping and road trips — or anytime you’re going to be in the great outdoors. Take only pictures and leave only footprints. Deal with your garbage properly, and don’t leave it out there for someone else to clean up for you.

Don’t gather a bunch of souvenirs like rocks or sticks from untouched wild places either. If you need to have something to remember this trip by, stop at a tourist attraction and buy yourself a shot glass.

Stay Safe Out There

Road trips are a great way to explore the country without the insane expense of climbing on a plane. A bit of preparation can make a mediocre trip into something truly memorable.