Whether or not your student will be making a long trek back to school, prepping their vehicle helps avoid any sudden repair needs during the semester. Here are some car maintenance tasks to check off yourself or through a service center:
Tires
As we head into the cooler seasons, it’s important to have proper tire tread for ideal traction. Check the tread with the penny test and teach your young driver how to do it if they haven’t learned already. While doing that, you can also go over how to use a pressure gauge. Underinflated tires will affect your gas mileage and, if left for too long, result in uneven wear. Plus, it may be time for a tire rotation to get the most out of them.
Fluids
Vehicles have a lot of fluids that need to be routinely flushed, replaced, and topped off. For now, it’s important to at least have them full. Check the levels of:
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Coolant
- Transmission fluid
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
Engine oil
Oil changes are one of the easiest ways to keep up on your car maintenance tasks. Dirty or old engine oil can cause less efficiency and damage if there’s enough build-up. Check your owner’s manual to see the recommended miles in between each change. Depending on your car and the oil it uses, it varies between 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
Headlights
It’s easy to miss a headlight going out if you don’t have another person around to check it for you. Have one person start the car and another person watch to see that the headlights, rear lights, and blinkers are working correctly.
Battery
The extreme temperatures of summer and winter can be a lot for your car’s battery, especially if it’s older. Most batteries will need to be replaced every 3-5 years and corrosion should be cleaned off if you see build-up. Avoid getting stuck with a dead battery and test the charge.
Wiper blades
Visibility is an important part of safe driving, so wiper blades should be replaced every year. If they’re leaving streaks, skipping over the glass, or have visible damage on the rubber, then you should replace them anyway.
Emergency kit
Always be prepared by keeping some essential items in the vehicle. Grab a bag and fill it with:
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Tire repair kit
- Blanket
- Jumper cables
- Basic tools
- Nonperishable food items
Superior Service Center has locations in Eagan and Apple Valley, MN. Check out our Appointments page to request a time, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.