As the upcoming holiday season approaches, you may start to notice an increase in traffic. This isn't something new, but it's worth preparing for. To keep calm in the holiday rush, use these tips.

Keep Cool When Stuck in Holiday Traffic

It's no secret that the holiday season brings with it more traffic. Many people take advantage of this time to get out of town, which can lead to congested highways. At the same time, many may be heading to the mall to complete their holiday shopping, which can lead to chaotic parking lots and city streets. To keep your cool and stay safe while stuck in this traffic, use these helpful tips.

Give Yourself More Time

Since holiday traffic can be much heavier compared to any other season of the year, it's important that you take this into account when going out. Whether you're heading to work or to the grocery store, be sure to give yourself more time to make it there in a timely manner. Avoid rushing and do plan ahead in case you encounter heavy traffic. Having all of this in mind can help you feel calmer if you do get stuck in traffic since you've planned for it and given yourself extra time to complete your errands.

Stay Alert

When there's a lot of traffic, you may want to rush to get home just so you can get out of the stressful situation. When you're running errands and you get stuck in traffic, you may get distracted by your frustration and stress, making it harder to pay attention to the road like usual. Do your best to stay calm and to stay as alert as usual or even more alert than usual. For example, a mall parking lot can be very crowded during this season and there may be more pedestrians walking through. Because of this, it's important that you're aware of your surroundings and look all ways before making your next move.

Keep Your Car in Shape

Not only will you have to stay alert and focused on the road to stay safe, but you will also want to be sure your car is still in great shape. Before the hectic holiday season starts, check your car's fluids to ensure they're all still in great shape and at the proper level. If needed, get an oil change and replace your coolant with a fresh dose. You may even want to take your car into the shop for a tune-up. Be sure to test your battery just so you're sure it'll be able to carry your car through the winter without leaving you stranded. To keep your engine protected, be sure to give it a synthetic oil change in San Diego. Click here to buy  AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil and keep your car running strong. To find even more great products for your car, contact the oil pros at Synthetic Oil Inc. Give them a call at (800) 653-0323 to learn more. You can also stop by their online shop to place your order.

Avoid Driving After Dark

During the fall and winter, it will get dark earlier in the day, which isn't always great. When you take off for work in the morning, it may still be dark, so you want to be sure your car's lights are all working properly. Stay alert and look out for pedestrians that may be harder to see in the dark. Since it gets dark earlier in the day, you may also want to do your best to get home before dark. If you do have to drive in the dark, stay alert and avoid streets that you know are not well-lit.

Give Yourself a Break

If you're heading out of town for the holidays and are driving, be sure you're prepared for the long drive. It's best to have at least one other person with you in the car so that you can stay alert. If your drive is long, be sure to stop occasionally to give yourself a break from driving. Stretch your legs, rest your eyes, and get some food and water to wake you up. If your drive is longer than a day, definitely stop at night to rest rather than trying to do all the driving in one go.

Give Your Car a Synthetic Oil Change in San Diego, CA

To keep your car in great shape, give it a synthetic oil change in San Diego. Find a great oil for your car by contacting the oil pros at Synthetic Oil Inc. To learn more about their products or to place your order, give them a call at (800) 653-0323.