Saying that GPS systems have made summer road trips easier is a huge understatement. GPS has practically eliminated the need to use huge road maps while driving down unfamiliar roads. We’re now less likely to get lost, and we can make it to our destination faster thanks to the system giving us the fastest route. However, GPS isn’t perfect or necessarily all that easy to use. Here are a few things you need to know about proper GPS usage this summer:
- Installation: You should install your GPS at eye level so you won’t have to look down at all while driving. Luckily, there are plenty of mounts on the market for smart phones and GPS devices.
- Operation: Make sure you actually know how to use your GPS system before you get out on the open road. GPS devices are meant to be user friendly, but you could still have some problems using it if you aren’t tech savvy. Read through the owner’s manual if you have to in order to learn about all of your device’s special features.
- Voice direction: One of the top features you should look for in a GPS device is its voice direction capability. Systems with a good voice direction feature will speak up and give you plenty of time to make turns or get off at an exit. This means that you’ll never have to look down at your phone, which can lead to an accident. The worst case scenario is that you wind up in a ditch from looking at your phone and need to call us for mobile RV repair in Flagstaff, AZ.
- Destination address: Inputting the correct destination address is a must. Without doing so, you could end up lost in the middle of nowhere. Type in the address before you get out on the road to ensure you make all of the correct turns from the get-go.
- Obey traffic signs: Modern GPS devices are programmed to know traffic signs and laws like the area speed limit, one-way streets and “do not turn” signs. Unfortunately, a GPS isn’t always correct. There are countless stories of people turning the wrong way onto one-way streets simply because their GPS told them to do so!
- Update software often: To help keep you safe out on the road, make sure you update your GPS device’s software each time an update rolls out. These updates will have correct information about an area regarding traffic signs, road closures and more.
- Rely on your senses: Above all, trust your senses over your GPS device. Even the most expensive and flashy devices can be wrong from time to time. If you feel like your GPS may be leading you in the wrong direction, pull over at a gas station and ask for directions.
Should you run into any troubles while out on the road this summer, be sure to call Maclin Truck & Trailer for mobile RV repair in Flagstaff, AZ. Our crew will arrive as quickly as we can to repair your RV and get you back out on the road.