If you are sending your college-age kids off to school this month with their own vehicle, it’s important to get their car “travel safe” for their journey. By following a few back-to-college car care tips we have outlined below, you can avoid large repair expenses and make sure your son or daughter is safe on the road and the vehicle is free of mechanical issues.

Ongoing Car Maintenance Items:

☑ Replace Oil and Filter: The easiest preventative tip you can follow is to change the oil regularly. Each vehicle is different, but most require routine changes every five to seven thousand miles, depending on the type of oil used.
☑ Check Tire Pressure: Make sure tire pressure is appropriate for the climate and the vehicle. Tire pressure tends to be lower in colder climates, so adjust pressure accordingly and purchase an inexpensive tire gauge for your child to check it monthly on their own.
☑ Replace Wiper Blades: If you do not remember the last time they were replaced, make sure to change them out. Also, check the windshield for any cracks and chips. Most auto insurance plans cover cracked windshields (depending on the state where the vehicle is insured). Check with your insurance carrier or agent.
☑ Check Engine Fluids: A quick check of engine fluids such as antifreeze, brake fluid, steering fluid and transmission fluid and wiper fluid is easy. Top off any of the fluids that are below their limits. With the exception of wiper fluid, having to add any of these fluids on a regular basis, means there’s a problem that needs to be fixed.

Periodic Auto Maintenance Items:

☑ Check the Brakes: Brakes do not need maintenance as often but it is important to have a professional check them to see if “wear and tear” has reduced their braking power. Squeaky brakes do not always need to be repaired but they are worth having checked out. Click here to learn more about the signs you may need brake repair.
☑ Rotate and Balance Tires: Having the tires rotated and balanced will help prolong the life of them by allowing even wear on the treads. There’s a simple test for checking the tire tread by using a penny. Insert a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing down into the tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tire(s). When inspecting the tires you also want to check for bulging, uneven tire wear, and cracking or dry rot. These are all signs the tire(s) need to be replaced.
☑ Check Battery Life: Most batteries have an average lifespan of about 3-5 years, depending on where you live. In places like New York and New Jersey, batteries have an average lifespan because of the warmer summers and colder winters. If your son or daughter is heading to Florida, the sun, heat and salt air (if they are by the coast) all provide conditions that lessen the life of a battery.
☑ Replace Worn or Cracked Hoses and Belts: Belts and hoses will become brittle over time, and if not replaced, can result in expensive engine damage. They should be replaced before they break.

In addition to ongoing and periodic maintenance, assemble a Vehicle Emergency Kit in a covered plastic box or container to handle mechanical or safety problems. Ask your son or daughter to always keep the kit in the trunk in the event of an emergency.

A complete Vehicle Emergency Kit should include the following items:

☑ A bright flashlight with fresh batteries
☑ Basic tools including a screwdriver and set of pliers
☑ Roadside flares
☑ Jumper cables
☑ Tire jack and lug nut wrench
☑ Rope
☑ First-Aid supplies
☑ Paper Towels or a Rag
☑ Extra Windshield Washer fluid

Getting ready for another school year requires a lot of preparation. If you would like to put your mind at ease, book a back-to-college car care appointment today with Colonial Service Station in State Island, New York. We will thoroughly check your child’s vehicle and make sure it’s safe and problem-free. Click here to schedule an appointment now.