Car care 101 overlooked by college-bound students
The transition from high school graduate to new college student is an exciting milestone, and moving away from home is part of the process for many. AAA reminds college students and their parents of important steps before heading off to school: make a plan for car maintenance.
Frequently, a teenager’s vehicle is maintained by parents while living at home, and lessons on proper car care are only briefly discussed and seldom used. Before hitting the road, it is vital that your college student fully understands how to independently take care of their vehicle.
AAA vehicle maintenance tips:
Check and maintain tires
Teach your teen how to use a tire gauge and explain that tires should be checked at least once a month when the tires are cold. Show them where to find the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure – typically on a label located on the driver’s door jamb or in the glove box
Know the vehicle’s maintenance schedule
While it’s a good idea to make sure your student’s car is current with all maintenance items prior to sending them off to college, it’s possible some items will be due while they are away.
Review the owner’s manual with your son or daughter and explain the recommended maintenance schedule, reminding them that in addition to basic oil changes other important items such as filters, batteries and brakes must also be regularly checked and maintained. AAA recommends that parents and teens create a shared calendar with reminders so both are aware of any upcoming required maintenance or services.
The average lifespan of a car battery is three to five years, so make sure that any battery in this age range is checked before the student leaves for school. In many areas, the AAA Mobile Battery Service will come to a member’s home and provide this service at no charge.
Find a repair facility near college
It is important for parents to help teens identify an auto repair shop they can trust near their school in case routine servicing or unexpected repairs become necessary.
If unfamiliar with the area around a college, visit AAA. com/Repair to locate nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. AAA inspects auto repair shops around the country and only approves those that meet and continually maintain high professional standards for equipment, customer service, cleanliness and training.
Prepare for roadside emergencies
It is also important for parents to prepare their children for a breakdown or other roadside emergency — especially if they are attending college too far away to call home for help.
Make sure the teen’s vehicle has a well-stocked roadside emergency kit with contents suitable for local weather conditions during the school year. A basic kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, first-aid kit, bottled water, rags or paper towels, a tire pressure gauge, a blanket, granola or energy bars, and a selection of basic hand tools. In areas with winter ice and snow, add an ice scraper, snow brush and kitty litter or other material to increase traction if stuck in snow.
For added peace of mind, provide the teen a AAA membership, which offers reliable roadside assistance through a large dedicated network of service providers with good coverage in and around the college. AAA’s benefits are available to members no matter whose vehicle in they are in, so parents won’t have to worry about their teen being stranded in a friend’s vehicle with no access to emergency road service.