Summer is coming to an end, which means students across the region are heading back to school. If you haven’t already, now is the time to do some basic maintenance to avoid any unexpected automotive slow downs and to educate any new and/or college-bound students. Here are some quick car tips to help keep them safe and give you a little peace of mind.
Know How a Car Works: Make sure your student knows the basics of how a vehicle works. Show them how to check tire pressure and change a tire. Pop open the engine and show them the basics of the engine. For example, do they know how to check the oil or add required fluids? This may seem simple, but knowing these fundamentals can help to save them a lot of money in the future.
Basic Maintenance: Keep up with the basic maintenance of your car. Create a preventive maintenance checklist: Check fluid levels, inspect belts and hoses, check tire pressure, take a look the engine oil level and make sure all external and internal lights work.
Sounds of Your Car: Tell your student to get to know the sounds their car generates on a regular basis. Knowing this will allow them to identify when their car is making abnormal sounds. Remind them that ignoring unusual vehicle sounds can lead to costly repairs down the road. Encourage your young driver(s) to have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible when this occurs to prevent further damage.
Dash Board Lights: Review what the various warning lights are and remind your driver to pay attention to any warning signs. The gauges and warning lights on the dash board are the best way to tell how your car is doing. The “Check Engine” light is important but usually ignored by young drivers. Remind them of how crucial it is to not ignore this light as it generally detects small issues with the engine that typically lead to bigger problems.
By following these simple tips, students can help to ensure their vehicles are reliable and read when they need it. If you have any questions or need maintenance assistance come on down to Prestige Ford in Garland (serving Rockwall, Mesquite, Richardson and the Greater Dallas areas) and let our professionals help you! www.PrestigeGarland.com