Car Maintenance Tips For College Students

The back-to-school rush can lead parents to forget about preparing the college student’s vehicle for the road ahead. Quality Automotive Servicing reminds parents to teach their children important car maintenance tips to help them avoid costly repairs down the road.

Show your child how to check their Clermont Toyota battery, check the tires and top off essential fluids. They should also be aware of how to use jumper cables and carry a roadside emergency kit in their vehicle. If you’re planning to use your vehicle to organize a college dorm party you can find more information.

Check the Battery

There is nothing worse than arriving for class on time, only to find your car won’t start. Batteries are prone to corrosion and can lose their charge over time if left unchecked. Encourage your student to pop the hood every few weeks and inspect the battery and terminals for corrosion. They should also make sure they have a set of jumper cables in their Clermont Toyota vehicle.

Teaching your student the importance of regular maintenance can help them avoid costly breakdowns in the future. This is especially important since they will be far away from home and won’t have access to a parent to fix their car or provide assistance when it breaks down. They should also learn how to check and refill essential fluids such as oil, coolant, and fuel. This will prevent damage to the engine and ensure proper performance and longevity. Also teach them how to watch for dashboard lights that indicate an issue, such as a check oil light. Of course, it can be expensive so here you will find how much students usually spend on their issues.

Check the Tires

A car that has low air pressure or is in need of a tire replacement is dangerous to drive. Teach your student to check the tires regularly and have them inspected by an auto mechanic for signs of wear, damage or leaks.

Similarly, teaching your student to learn about and regularly check engine fluid levels like coolant, transmission and power steering fluid is essential. Low levels of any of these can lead to expensive and sometimes dangerous engine damage over time.

Teach your college student to regularly check the vehicle’s air filter as well. The air filter protects the engine and helps ensure its optimal performance. An unclean air filter can reduce fuel efficiency and cause the engine to run rough.

Check the Fluids

Your student may not have the car owner’s manual sitting among their books on math, history and English, but it isn’t a difficult task to learn the basics of the vehicle. Showing them how to check the fluid levels of things like air conditioning coolant, windshield wipers, power steering and radiator fluid can save them a lot of headache in case the fluid light is on when they’re out on the road.

The tire pressure should also be checked at least one to two times a month, and the tires should always have sufficient tread. Showing them how to use a tire gauge and check the ideal pressure for their vehicle can help them save on fuel costs, avoid flat tires and keep their N Charlotte Toyota car’s tread in great shape.

Another quick task is to clean the inside of the vehicle. This helps reduce odors, improves visibility and prevents the growth of mold and rodents (which can chew through wiring or upholstery). Vacuuming and cleaning the seats, carpets and dash are simple tasks that take only a few minutes.

Clean the Vehicle

Whether your student is in the carpool, driving on their own or heading back to school, they need a safe and reliable vehicle. It’s important for college students to know how to perform basic car maintenance themselves in order to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Teach them how to check the fluid levels, including engine oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid and windshield wiper fluid. If these fluids are low, it can lead to a breakdown.

Also teach them how to check tire pressure. Under-inflated tires are inefficient, causing poor fuel economy and uneven wear of the tire tread.

Finally, be sure that they have a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle. This should include an ice scraper, blankets, jumper cables, a first aid kit and non perishable snacks. Also be sure to remind them to keep their spare tire inflated and in good condition. This can save them if they get a flat tire while on the road.