Latest news with #DavidGluckman
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
What to pack in your car for a summer road trip, according to automotive experts
Ah, the summer road trip — one of my favorite pastimes. Every year growing up, my family packed up the minivan and hit the road, driving all over the country to visit national parks and roadside monuments (Corn Palace and Wall Drug, anyone?). Now that I'm a father myself, I've kept the tradition going — minus the minivan. These days, it's a whole lot easier. No paper maps. No TripTiks from AAA (remember those?). An iPad keeps the back seat happy, and instead of digging through a pile of CDs, I just queue up my kiddo's favorite soundtracks on my phone. Of course, even with all the modern upgrades, a good road trip still takes some prep. To make sure I wasn't missing anything, I tapped car expert and longtime automotive writer David Gluckman for his best tips on how to get your car road-trip ready — from what to check under the hood to what to stash in the trunk. Between his advice and the setup I've dialed in over the years, we've got a formula that keeps everyone charged, entertained and (most importantly) full of snacks. Here's how to prep for a road trip — and the summer essentials I bring on every adventure to make sure things go (somewhat) according to plan. First things first, before leaving your driveway, you should make sure your car is in good working order. That means checking the brakes, battery, tires and getting an oil change. And in the off-chance that your car has a few hiccups on the road, it's better to have the tools to deal with those issues than wait for a tow truck. Believe me, I've been there. Make sure all of the equipment that came with your car is still there as well, says Gluckman. "This should go without saying, but make sure your car has its jack onboard and the spare tire is inflated or you have a tire-repair kit if the car didn't come with a spare." You've got kids in the middle seat, dogs in the third row, snacks flying everywhere and drinks being spilled. Keeping a car clean during a road trip can seem like a Herculean task. Don't stress. The car will end up messy. But by making a couple of changes, like starting the trip out with a clean car and using a car trash can instead of that old Target bag, you can keep your sanity and limit the disaster. Want to get to your destination quickly? One of the major slowdowns I've encountered is stopping for every meal. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you need to pull into that Waffle House parking lot just to stretch your legs, but if you really want to eat those miles up as fast as possible, keep your food in your car. My wife and I pre-make sandwiches and stash them in our portable fridge to be eaten whenever hunger hits. It'll save you quite a bit of money too, especially these days, when fast food no longer equals cheap food. Our phones are our lifelines more than ever, especially on the road. Maps, music and movies (not to mention the ability to call for help) all disappear once that battery goes dead, so keeping all of your electronics charged is incredibly important. While driving has gotten safer and safer, for most of us it is still the most dangerous thing that we do, and while we hope that nothing bad will happen when we're on the road, it's better to be prepared for the worst.
Car and Driver
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Car?
Timing may not be everything when it comes to buying a new car, but it's definitely an important factor. While the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for a model generally stays constant over a model year, the actual price you pay at a dealer can vary. Spoiler alert: There is no perfect time to buy a car, no one-size-fits-all magic answer—it depends on a lot of factors, like which car you're buying, where you're buying it, and how much demand there is for what you want. And sometimes the decision is made for you. For instance, if your main form of transportation dies or gets totaled in a wreck, you may not have a lot of choice in the buying timeline. But even if you don't have a ton of flexibility, we'll arm you with the information necessary to get a good deal on your schedule. Seasonal Trends: When Dealerships Offer the Biggest Discounts The end of the calendar year and the end of a model year are two good times to buy. David Gluckman Contributing Editor Ever since David was a wee Car and Driver intern, he has kept a spreadsheet listing all the vehicles he's driven and tested. David really likes spreadsheets. He can parallel-park a school bus and once drove a Lincoln Town Car 63 mph in reverse. After taking a break from journalism to work on autonomous vehicles, he's back writing for this and other automotive publications. When David's not searching for the perfect used car, you can find him sampling the latest in gimmicky, limited-edition foodstuffs.
