School is about to be back in session and for busy parents, it’s about to get even busier. Shuttling kids to and from school plus all the miles logged going to and from work and all the other places you go really take their toll. And what if you’ve got a kid that’s taking their car off to college this year? It’s time to take a look at all the cars your family owns and make sure they’re road-ready.
Here are a few tips from your friends at Main Street Automotive in Crestview, FL, to help you stay safe when the back to school crunch hits!
- Check all fluids
Pop open the hood and take a look at the levels of your coolant, transmission fluid, engine oil, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. If you don’t know where these are located, your car’s manual will show you.
- Check the battery
Every battery has a date on the top of it. If the date is over 2 or 3 years old, you should have it checked to ensure it’s still got plenty of juice.
- Inspect tires
Regular tire rotations help keep the wear even on your tires. If you’ve neglected to do so, you might have to replace them. Check all 4 of your tires for uneven tread or any hazards like nails. Your tires should also have the correct amount of pressure in them. While you’ll find that information in your manual, most cars today have a sticker with tire pressure levels on the inside of your driver’s door. While you’re at it, check your spare tire to make sure it’s inflated and that your jack, lug wrench, and other essentials are in your trunk. It can’t hurt to have jumper cables stowed away for an emergency either.
- Check the lights
It seems simple, but lights are an important part of any vehicle, especially the brake lights. Test them out to make sure they all illuminate when called upon.
- Prepare a list of local resources
Florida is a long state and with many kids heading off to college at the popular schools in and around the Panhandle, it’s important to have your kids prepared in case of an emergency. Look for local maintenance sources so that when it’s time for an oil change or if a problem arises, your kid will know the best place to take their car for repairs. If you’re new to an area, university safety departments or parking services may have a list of reliable resources you can count on.
Of course, if you’re in need of preventative maintenance or serious repairs and you’re in or around Crestview, FL, you know where to go. Come see us today at Main Street Automotive for all your automotive needs!
