With luggage and in a car seat
Luggage in a car, contrary to what it seems, is a very important element on which not only comfort on the road, but also driving safety depends.
Luggage in a car, contrary to what it seems, is a very important element on which not only comfort on the road, but also driving safety depends.
If luggage is carried incorrectly, such as a heavy suitcase lying in the back seat, this can create a serious hazard. While we are driving smoothly and calmly, there are no problems, but there are difficult situations on the road when you need to brake sharply, go around something, and sometimes even a collision. When we are wearing seatbelts and protected by airbags, we have a chance to get out of trouble unscathed, but a rushing heavy object, such as loose luggage, can seriously harm us. Therefore, heavy bags and suitcases are best carried in the trunk.
First, heavy
We should also try to place the heaviest suitcases lower so that the center of gravity is also as low as possible. This is extremely important due to the driving style of the car, which will simply handle corners better.
Attach securely
If we use a roof rack, also in a closed version, the load must be carefully secured so that it does not move while driving. Otherwise, the barrel may even come off.
Don't Overdo Your Luggage
Also, don't go overboard with the amount of luggage we take. I often see that some cars are already loaded so that the suspension is as low as possible. Then they are easily damaged, which can be very expensive. So remember that we are not traveling in a "delivery van" or truck.
Travel by bike
In recent years, it has become fashionable to travel on bicycles, which, having reached the place, make it easier to see the area and allow you to do so-called outdoor activities. Given that there are many dedicated bike carriers and racks on the market, transporting them is not a major hurdle. However, it must be borne in mind that the air resistance created by the transported bicycles increases in proportion to the speed at which the car is moving. In this case, you should not drive too fast, because this negatively affects the aerodynamics of the car, and fuel consumption also increases.
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A good solution is the increasingly common luggage racks located at the rear of the car, which effectively eliminate or at least reduce air turbulence that makes driving difficult. It should be remembered that the license plate of the car must be visible, otherwise we risk getting a fine.
baby in the car
If we are talking about recreation, of course, it is extremely important to transport children. Let's hope that the days when we regularly saw small passengers stuck and running freely in the back seat are gradually becoming a thing of the past. Such behavior of parents or guardians is unacceptable, because an insufficiently fastened child in a car can even fall out through the windshield at the slightest collision. According to the rules, children under 12 years old must be transported in special chairs. It should also be remembered that the objects that the child has at hand and with which he plays should not be too small, as the child can choke on them, putting them in his mouth, for example, when braking a car.
W safer
Children under 12 must be transported in special seats. It is worth remembering not only to avoid a fine, but above all about the safety of our children. The seat can be installed both behind and in front of the car. However, in the latter case, do not forget to disable the airbag (usually with the key in the glove compartment or on the side of the dashboard after opening the passenger door).
Car seats for the smallest are best installed with the head in the direction of travel. Thus, the risk of injuries to the spine and head is reduced in case of a small impact or even sudden braking, causing large overloads.
For babies weighing from 10 to 13 kg, manufacturers offer cradle-shaped seats. They are easy to take out of the car and carry with the child. Child seats weighing between 9 and 18 kg have their own seat belts and we only use car seats to attach the seat to the sofa.
Once your child turns 12, the seat is no longer required. If the baby, despite his age, is below 150 cm tall, it would be wiser to use special coasters. Thanks to them, the child sits a little higher and can be fastened with seat belts that do not work well for people less than XNUMX meters tall.
When buying a seat, pay attention to whether it has a certificate that guarantees safety. According to EU rules, each model must pass a crash test in accordance with the ECE R44/04 standard. Car seats that do not have this label should not be sold, which does not mean that this does not happen. Therefore, it is better to avoid buying on exchanges, auctions and other unreliable sources.
In order for the seat to fulfill its role, it must be correctly selected for the size of the child. Most products are equipped with a system for adjusting the height of the head restraints and side covers, but if the child has outgrown this seat, it must be replaced with a new one. If our car is equipped with an Isofix system that allows you to quickly and safely install the seat in the car without using seat belts, then you should look for seats adapted to it.
Luggage can be dangerous
The roof rack significantly impairs the driving performance of the car and increases fuel consumption, and hence the cost of travel. Paradoxically, driving on underinflated wheels leads to the same consequences. It is important not to keep anything under the driver's seat, especially bottles, which can block the pedals when they slide. It is also not allowed to transport loose objects in the passenger compartment (for example, on the rear shelf), since at the moment of sharp braking they will fly forward according to the principle of inertia and their weight will increase in proportion to the speed of the car.
For example, if during sudden braking from a speed of 60 km / h. a half liter bottle of soda will fly forward from the back shelf, it will hit everything in its path with a force of over 30 kg! Of course, in the event of a collision with another moving vehicle, this force will be many times greater. That is why it is very important to securely secure your luggage, preferably in the trunk.
Good to know Types of luggage racks
Buying a car trunk is a rather expensive article. When choosing equipment, it is worth remembering a few rules:
At the beginning, you need to start by buying special beams (if you don’t have them in the car’s configuration), on which various attachments are attached: baskets, boxes and handles. Each car model, and even body version, has different strut attachment points. It must be remembered that when choosing beams with a fixed roof mount, we will also have to buy a completely new set after changing the car. Therefore, often the beams are sold separately and the fittings that attach them to the roof. Then changing the car will only entail the need to purchase new mounts.
If we already have beams, you need to decide which handles to buy. There are many versions to choose from, allowing you to carry from one to six pairs of different types of skis, snowboards or bicycles.
The main limitation when loading luggage on the roof is its carrying capacity, depending on the car model. As a rule, manufacturers indicate it in 50 kg (in some models up to 75 kg). This does not mean that we can safely throw so much luggage on the roof, but that the luggage and luggage compartment together can weigh up to 50 kg. So you might want to consider buying aluminum sets that weigh 30 percent. smaller than steel, and they have a few extra pounds.
Luggage can also be transported in closed aerodynamic boxes. When choosing a box, you also need to consider whether you want to transport bicycles or surfboards in addition to it. If yes, then it is better to choose a narrow box that will not take up the entire roof, leaving room for additional handles.
