There are many challenges when driving at night, so it’s best to be prepared. Keep reading this post by North American Wholesale in Corpus Christi, TX for everything you need to know. 

Driving at night means taking a few precautions to stay safe. One essential precaution is to have a regular maintenance routine. For products and maintenance advice, call North American Wholesale at (866) 580-1008 to talk to one of their oil pros. Once you’re ready to place an order, visit AMSOIL's online shop anytime!

Before Leaving

Before leaving for your destination, it’s essential to follow some simple steps that will allow you to stay safe while driving at night.

Rest Before Starting Your Drive

Resting before driving at night is essential as driving fatigue can have similar results to driving drunk as you might experience decreased awareness, spacing out, and slower reaction times. Sometimes, even if you’re well rested, you might feel fatigued; in this case, it’s a good idea to:

• Drink a caffeinated beverage.
• Have an energizing snack.
• Stop to stretch and walk around to promote blood flow.

If you feel overly tired and these tricks don’t work, it’s best to hand over driving responsibilities to another person. If that’s not possible, stop somewhere safe and sleep for the night to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Tip: Avoid large meals or overly sugary snacks as these can give you the opposite effect and make you feel more tired.

Do a Lights Test

Before leaving on your next nighttime drive, it’s important to do a lights test. The lights on your vehicle are all essential in keeping you safe on the road, especially when driving at night. Check your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals and ensure they all work correctly. If your light lenses look opaque, they may be dirty from pollution and dirt on the road. This could cause them to appear dim. Add cleaning your light lenses to your car maintenance routine to prevent this. Headlights Tip: If you’re regularly driving at night, it’s a good idea to ask your trusted mechanic to readjust your headlights to point a bit more downward than usual to help you have better visibility.

Keep your engine in excellent condition by using only top-shelf products on it.  Call North American Wholesale at (866) 580-1008 for advice on the best products AMSOIL offers for your vehicle. To see their complete catalog visit their online shop 24/7.

When On the Road

Once you’re on the road, staying alert and present when driving is essential. Keep reading for our best tips for nighttime driving.

Practice Defensive Driving

One of the best ways to drive safely is by practicing defensive driving. Defensive driving is a group of techniques that teach you how to react quickly to road issues, share the road more efficiently, and learn to drive with space between you and others to avoid crashes. There are many online and local courses where you can learn these techniques to be a more confident driver.

Use Interstates

Interstates tend to be safer than two-lane highways because of the divider they have between you and oncoming traffic. At night, it’s easy to be blinded or distracted by the lights of oncoming vehicles, which can be dangerous and even fatal for drivers. The separation between you and oncoming traffic can also help prevent head-on collisions, which are considered the most dangerous types of crashes.

Be on the Lookout for Wildlife

When on a road at night, it’s important to scan the sides of the road and the road itself for wildlife that could be around. In hotter regions, wildlife is more likely to be active at night when the heat goes down, and there’s less vehicle noise. That’s why it’s essential to keep an eye out for them. In Texas, animals like white-tailed deer and javelinas can be hazardous to crash into, so for your safety and theirs, be on the lookout. Wildlife tip: Use your car’s high beams to spot animals on the road as these reflect their eyes. If you spot a pair of eyes on the side of the road, slow down if the animal decides to cross. If you spot them on the road, slow down and use your emergency lights, so others know there’s something to look out for.

Use Your Highbeams

Other than spotting wildlife in the dark, your high beams can help you follow the road, especially in areas with low light or visibility. When driving with your high beams on, make sure to lower them if you spot oncoming traffic to avoid blinding them.

North American Wholesale has the best products to keep your vehicle in good condition for longer. Call them at (866) 580-1008 and talk to an oil pro today!