It’s a parent’s job to worry about their kids, right? It probably happens even more so when they go off to college. After all, when they were home, you had some semblance of control over certain things. If your college-bound student is taking his or her car to school, that lends an even greater sense of concern. What happens if their vehicle breaks down? Will they take it to have the oil changed? By following these 7 simple car care tips, you can worry a little less… at least when it comes to their car.

As your college-bound student is getting his or her things ready for school, have them take the time to make sure their vehicle is ready to go, too. These basic car care tips will help:

1. Oil and Filter Change – This should be done at least two weeks before your student leaves for school. If they bring their vehicle to our auto repair shop in Verona, NJ, we will perform a courtesy inspection with the oil and filter change. By doing so, you will be able to repair or replace parts that are wearing out on their vehicle before they head off to college. You may also want to consider having the fuel and air filters replaced, the tires rotated and the vehicle tuned up.
2. Vital Engine Fluids – Check the level and condition of all vital engine fluids (coolant, transmission, brake and steering). If any of these fluids are low and/or they look dirty, bring the vehicle in to have it checked out. Low and dirty fluids could be an indicator of something going wrong with that particular engine system.
3. Visibility – Replace the wiper blades, check to make sure all the lights are working, and if there are any cracks in the windshield, have them fixed.
4. Battery – If the car battery is getting older (about 4 years old), have it replaced. This is the age where a battery will begin to fail, especially when the temperatures get colder.
5. Hoses and Belts – Older hoses and belts become dry and brittle. If you notice that any hoses are bulging or look like they are beginning to show signs of cracks, have them replaced. The same thing applies to the serpentine belt. If it looks dry, brittle, is cracked, etc., have it changed. If the vehicle is getting older and hasn’t had the timing belt changed, you may also want to have replaced as well. If any of these items fail while your student is on the road, it could result in serious engine damage.
6. Emergency Kit – Every vehicle should be equipped with an Emergency Kit. Some things to include are a flashlight, first-aid supplies, jumper cables, flares, paper towels and a bottle of windshield washer fluid.
7. Tires – Check the air pressure in all the tires and instruct your college student on how to do the same. While checking the air pressure, look at the tires to see if they should be replaced. There should be sufficient amount of tire tread, the tires should be wearing evenly and there should be no bulging or cracking of the rubber. If you need to have the tires replaced, give us a call. You can buy your tires from us and we will mount, install, and balance the tires as well as perform a vehicle alignment.

We hope these car care tips help your college student get his or her vehicle ready for school driving. You can take it one step further by bringing their vehicle to Luke’s Auto Service in Verona, New Jersey.

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photo credit: State Farm Teen Driver via photopin (license)