Back to School: Tips for Drivers
The time has come for many to go back to school, with students traveling to their respective campuses from near and far. Whether you’re the one getting ready to attend school or you’re a parent who is sending a child off to college, this month is a busy time and while you are getting everything in place, don’t forget to add vehicle maintenance and any related preparation to your checklist!
Attend to Basic Maintenance – Get that oil change and tire rotation done before your free time dwindles down to being non-existent. You’ll want to check all of the fluid levels, exterior lights, tire pressure/tread depth/condition, and air filter, which is generally performed at the same time as an oil change but can be done at any time. This is something you can learn to do on your own, which will likely be useful in the future, or simply stop by your mechanic shop for a quick visit and they’ll gladly check it for you AND show you how to do it on your own if you’re interested. With inclement weather on the way, if you can’t remember the last time you changed your wiper blades, make the minimal investment in a new pair. Also, check the dash—is there a light on? Don’t ignore it! These are just a few examples of simple things that can cause big problems if not addressed, and by taking care of them, you’ll be ensuring that you stay safely on the road and extend the life of your vehicle.
Familiarize Yourself With Your Vehicle – As previously touched upon, it helps to have a general understanding of the major components of your vehicle and recommended intervals for replacement and/or maintenance. Most major repairs can be prevented by following manufacturer recommendations, as the initial issue usually compounds to affect other parts and systems if left unaddressed. Parents, make sure your kids know the basics such as where to find the spare tire, hazard lights, owner’s manual, and maybe even a spare key. Also, designate a place where the registration and proof of insurance can be easily retrieved if it needs to be produced during a traffic stop or in the event of an accident.
Be Prepared – There are items that you should make sure you have on-hand in the vehicle. An auto safety kit is a great investment, or you can make your own and include items such as jumper cables, a flashlight and blanket, ice scraper, first aid kit, multi-purpose tool, and anything else that you’d need in the event of an emergency. Accidents happen, so it’s important to have the proper information on-hand as well. This includes emergency contact, personal information and medical alerts, insurance agent, doctor, towing company, destination to have the vehicle towed for repairs (which will likely be your preferred collision repair center), and so on. It’s also helpful to have all of this compiled in one place, and much like the registration/proof of insurance documents, stored in the vehicle somewhere that’s easily accessible.