A Guide to Driving with Your Pets in Carlyle, IL
We love pets here at K&J Chevrolet in Carlyle — and we know you do, too! To help you take the best care of your dog or cat while you’re on the road, here are some of our top transportation safety tips and vehicle recommendations for pets.
Advice for Safely Transporting Your Dog or Cat in the Car
Pets ride in back
Don’t let a dog or cat ride next to you in the front passenger seat. Doing this puts your pet at great risk if there’s a collision or you need to brake suddenly; it can also be a dangerous distraction for you while driving. Instead, confine your pet to the back seat or a covered cargo area.
Always secure your pet
Pets should never be allowed to roam inside the vehicle or stick their head out the window. Place them in a carrier or crate that’s carefully secured to a seat belt or cargo tie-down. For larger dogs, you could use a harness that connects to a seat belt. It’s also a bad idea to let pets ride in an open truck bed.
Control the temperature
Pay attention to how the temperature and ventilation inside the vehicle affects your pet. Even if you’re comfortable up front, your dog or cat could overheat or get too cold in the back seats. Once you park, never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle — it’s a major heat risk!
Bring along the essentials
Make sure your vehicle is stocked with the essentials your dog or cat needs for traveling. Depending on your pet, you’ll want to bring along items like food, water, toys, leashes, medications, and paperwork. It’s also a good idea to keep emergency cleanup supplies on hand for all your travels around southern Illinois.
Best Chevrolet Models for Pet Owners in Carlyle, IL
If you need to bring your pet along for rides to St. Louis or local destinations, it’s important to drive a vehicle that keeps them safe and comfortable. These outstanding Chevrolet models are well-equipped to achieve that goal. You can find all three here at K&J Chevrolet in Carlyle, Illinois!
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is ideal for cats and small or medium-sized dogs. Chevy Safety Assist tech comes standard on every new Equinox to prevent crashes and protect your furry friend. This compact SUV’s back seat has plenty of space for a cat carrier or dog harness, and the trunk will easily fit all your pet’s supplies. Or, you could fold down the rear row to open up about 64 cubic feet for a larger crate and multiple pets.
Chevrolet Blazer
The midsize Chevrolet Blazer SUV keeps your pet comfy and safe on the go with Chevy Safety Assist, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, and a cabin humidity sensor — all standard features on new Blazer models. The spacious second row has extra space for larger pets, and when the rear seat is folded flat, you’ll have over 64 cubic feet to work with.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Need a pet-friendly vehicle with rugged truck capabilities? A double-cab Chevrolet Silverado 1500 works well for a cat or smaller dog. Crew cab models are best for bigger dogs. In both cases, you’ll get innovative underseat and in-bed storage solutions, a spacious second row with a folding seatback, and standard rear air vents and Chevy Safety Assist features.
Chevy Accessories That Every Pet Owner in Carlyle Should Have
All-weather floor liners or mats
The odds are good that your pet will get carsick, have an accident, or track in muddy paw prints at some point. With an all-weather floor mat or integrated floor liners installed in your Chevy, you’ll be prepared for messes.
Seat cover
Instead of letting your vehicle’s rear bench seat get scratched, dirty, or covered in hair, add a durable seat cover. It’s an easy accessory to install, remove, and clean, and multiple colors and designs are available.
Cargo mat or liner
If you transport your dog’s crate in the cargo area, consider adding an all-weather cargo mat or cargo liner. This type of accessory will help with cleanup tasks. Even more importantly, its non-slip, high-traction surface will assist in keeping the crate secured while you travel.
Roof-mounted cargo box
If your pet’s carrier or crate is taking up space in the cargo hold, that leaves you with less space for luggage or anything else you need to bring along. The solution is easy: A roof-mounted accessory cargo box can easily hold the stuff that won’t fit inside your vehicle. K&J Chevrolet can order and install this or any official OEM accessory for your Chevy vehicle when you contact our parts department.
For all your pet-related transportation needs, we’re here for you at K&J Chevrolet in Carlyle, Illinois. Whether you need safety tips, pet-friendly accessories, or a new vehicle that’s ideal for your furry friend, our team can help!