Most parents of college bound teens try to prepare them for a life away from home by educating them about important subjects like money management, healthy eating habits, and laundry tips. However, they often forget to discuss the basics of caring for their car, truck or SUV.
Without proper maintenance, your teen may end up missing class, work, or coming home to visit you because their car broke down, costing hundreds or thousands more in repair bills. Here are some basic car care tips every college bound teen should know.
1. Their owner's manual is their cheat sheet.
What student didn't appreciate having the answers for a test before they had to take it? An owner's manual is your college bound teen's CliffsNotes to understanding the basic of car care maintenance and problem solving solutions by the auto manufacturer.
2. Know proper tire maintenance.
Does your teen know how to spot the signs of a worn tire or how to determine the proper tire pressure? Would they know what to do if they experienced a flat tire? Tires affect how a car, truck, or SUV performs, its mpg, and safety. Teach your teen the penny test for knowing when the tread is showing signs that it's time for new tires, and show them where they can find the proper tire pressure on the inside of the driver's side door or the owner's manual.
3. Teach them the proper technique for jumpstarting a dead battery.
Don't put your teen at risk for a nasty shock or damaging their auto's electrical system with improper techniques when jumping a dead battery. For details on the recommended steps, do a search on Google for "how to properly jump start a dead battery".
4. Teach them that maintenance has a recommended schedule.
Following a fluctuating class schedule may be a little of a challenge for your teen. Following an auto maintenance schedule is easily forgotten if you don't help your teen create a schedule. Include items from their owner's manual. Plus, have them keep a file of all paperwork that they get on repairs and maintenance so they can show it to other mechanics if necessary.
5. What's the best gas?
If you want to save your teen money (or you), help them research where the cleanest, cheapest gas is near school. Various fuel producers include different amounts of detergents to minimize harmful build-ups in your engine. Not all gas is created equal. Go to AmericanAutoAssurance.com and search for a post titled, "What's the Best Gas for Your Vehicle?" to find out who has the cleanest fuel. Then, go to GasBuddy.com to see where the least expensive gas availability is near your teen's college.
Without proper maintenance, your teen may end up missing class, work, or coming home to visit you because their car broke down, costing hundreds or thousands more in repair bills. Here are some basic car care tips every college bound teen should know.
1. Their owner's manual is their cheat sheet.
What student didn't appreciate having the answers for a test before they had to take it? An owner's manual is your college bound teen's CliffsNotes to understanding the basic of car care maintenance and problem solving solutions by the auto manufacturer.
2. Know proper tire maintenance.
Does your teen know how to spot the signs of a worn tire or how to determine the proper tire pressure? Would they know what to do if they experienced a flat tire? Tires affect how a car, truck, or SUV performs, its mpg, and safety. Teach your teen the penny test for knowing when the tread is showing signs that it's time for new tires, and show them where they can find the proper tire pressure on the inside of the driver's side door or the owner's manual.
3. Teach them the proper technique for jumpstarting a dead battery.
Don't put your teen at risk for a nasty shock or damaging their auto's electrical system with improper techniques when jumping a dead battery. For details on the recommended steps, do a search on Google for "how to properly jump start a dead battery".
4. Teach them that maintenance has a recommended schedule.
Following a fluctuating class schedule may be a little of a challenge for your teen. Following an auto maintenance schedule is easily forgotten if you don't help your teen create a schedule. Include items from their owner's manual. Plus, have them keep a file of all paperwork that they get on repairs and maintenance so they can show it to other mechanics if necessary.
5. What's the best gas?
If you want to save your teen money (or you), help them research where the cleanest, cheapest gas is near school. Various fuel producers include different amounts of detergents to minimize harmful build-ups in your engine. Not all gas is created equal. Go to AmericanAutoAssurance.com and search for a post titled, "What's the Best Gas for Your Vehicle?" to find out who has the cleanest fuel. Then, go to GasBuddy.com to see where the least expensive gas availability is near your teen's college.
About the Author:
Learn more about used car tips. Stop by American Auto Assurance's site where you can find out all about auto maintenance tips, vehicle protection plans and what they can do for you.
