Chevrolet tips for long-distance car travel

Today, car drivers know that all occupants have to wear seatbelts, children have to ride in safety seats and that the headrests have to be properly adjusted. Unfortunately, however, many still fail to observe certain safety rules when loading baggage. The Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon, which is particularly popular among families, offers a number of equipment solutions that help transport baggage safely and comfortably. Admittedly: With a trunk as large as the Cruze Station Wagon’s, with a volume of at least 500 liters (up to the windows), it is tempting to stow away pieces of baggage and other cargo randomly. Drivers who really care about their safety – and that of their passengers – will think twice about the smartest way to load a car. The most important safety rule is: Heavy items belong at the bottom of the trunk and should be pushed tight up against the back seat to reduce the risk of them bursting through in a crash. Here is why: A full case of mineral water weighs 17 kilos. In a crash, these 17 kilos turn into over half a ton of weight banging into the back seat. In order to minimize the penetrating power of such cargo, heavy items have to be placed directly against the back seat – and be kept from sliding backward by means of other pieces of baggage or tie-downs. If not, everything could come crashing forward in the event of a sudden braking maneuver or an accident. In addition to heavy suitcases, vacation baggage often includes lighter items such as sports bags, beach mats, inflatable mattresses and rubber boats. They are best stowed in a way that they fill up the empty space around the heavier items – as firmly and compactly as possible. Packing above the line of the back seats should be avoided. Anything packed higher than that is at risk of flying forward and injuring the passengers in the event of abrupt braking or a crash. The Cruze Station Wagon features a baggage net that prevents objects from becoming dangerous projectiles. It is also recommended to secure the baggage with cargo straps. The appropriate fastening eyes come as standard in the Cruze Station Wagon’s trunk, the straps are available at dealerships. If there are no passengers in the back, the rear seatbelts should be closed crosswise to give the back seat additional stability. For the safe transportation of bikes and other goods, a number of convenient load-carrying systems such as bike racks and roof boxes are available for the Cruze Station Wagon. Smaller items can be safely stored in the under-floor storage compartment or in the additional two extra storage compartments, located behind the wheel arches. Important: The warning triangle, warning vests and first-aid kit have to be stowed in a place where they can be reached easily at any time! Two more tips for safe vacation driving: Because of the heavier load, tire pressure has to be adjusted (see handbook). Also, the weight in the rear of the car lifts the front. In order to avoid the headlights from blinding oncoming traffic at night, the beam has to be adjusted accordingly. Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is the world's fourth largest car brand with annual sales of almost 5 million cars and trucks in more than 140 countries. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, high quality and Chevrolet MyLink intelligent connectivity. Its European line-up includes the Spark and Aveo city cars, the Trax small SUV, the compact Cruze, the Orlando family van, the Captiva compact SUV, the Malibu mid-size sedan, the legendary Camaro and Corvette sports cars and the extended-range Volt electric car. For more information visit chevroleteurope.com or media.chevroleteurope.com. Source: chevroleteurope