Send
your college student off with this car maintenance checklist:
Getting
ready to send your kids off to college? You’re probably swamped buying dorm
décor, textbooks, and groceries to get them ready for their first semester. If
you’re smart, you’ve also gotten their car serviced so it’s ready to take on
anything that the semester has to throw at it. However, once they hit campus,
it’s on them to keep their car in top shape. Mainstreet Transmissions is here with a
car maintenance checklist for college kids to keep it simple!
This car maintenance checklist can save your student time and
money
Reminder #1: Keep track of tire pressure.
It’s essential for your college student to know what to do when it comes to
tire maintenance. They should regularly check the condition, tread depth, and
PSI of all FIVE tires – including the spare. Teach them how to look for damage,
how to check PSI and fill tires with air, and how to spot when the tread depth
is too low (by using the penny trick – stick a penny in the tread with Abe Lincoln
facing down and if they see the top of his head, it’s time for new tires!).
Also remind them the importance of tire rotations to extend the tires’ life!
Reminder #2: Stay vigilant when it comes to car
fluids.
Our techs also recommend getting your college student
on a schedule for oil changes so they never have to worry about engine
problems. Their mechanic can also check other essential car fluids like
coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and wiper fluid while they’re under
the hood.
Reminder #3: Give your battery attention on a
regular basis.
Remind your college student to include the battery when it comes to car
maintenance! They should check it on a routine basis and look for warning signs
like swelling, leaks, corrosion, rust, or anything else out of the ordinary.
And if they have to get a jump, make sure they know they should have their
battery checked at our shop to ensure it doesn’t need
to be replaced.
Reminder #4: As annoying as it is, keep your car
clean.
Keeping the car clean will keep its resale value high and will also ensure
fewer problems with performance in the long run. Encourage your college student
to at least wipe down surfaces and vacuum it out, as well as wash and wax the
exterior to protect the paint.
And
don’t forget to deck out your college student’s car with emergency supplies!
Here are some things you should ensure are in the trunk:
- Jumper cables
- Spare tire, jack, and lug
wrench
- Flashlight
- Phone charger
- Cash
- Blanket
And
make sure the owner’s manual is in the glovebox for reference!
