If there was ever a time to get a full-service inspection just in
case, it’s right before sending your child away to live on their
own for the first time.
A service station will be able to check the belts, brakes,
shocks, coolant system, transmission—and of course, change the
oil. You’ll sleep easier knowing that an expert has looked over
your kid’s vehicle.
02. Check Your Fluids
Even if your kid is responsible and organized, there’s a good
chance they’ll forget to regularly check the fluid levels in their
vehicle.
Make sure the car’s engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid,
brake fluid, and power steering fluid are full. And check to make
sure there’s not a leak anywhere either, or you’ll be refilling
much sooner than you might’ve hoped.
03. Test the Car Battery
Don’t let your child run the risk of missing a big test or a
final exam because their car won’t start.
Test your battery’s lifespan with a voltmeter—analog will do
if that’s what you’ve got, but a digital voltmeter will give you
a more accurate reading. Just make sure you’re wearing rubber
gloves and goggles when you check it. It might be a good idea to
have your child keep a pair of jumper cables in the car, too.
(Note: If you’ve never tested your car battery before, we’d
recommend having a professional do it for you the first time. Always
best to play it safe.)
04. Inspect Your Tires
A flat tire won’t just slow you down—it could potentially
cause an accident.
Test the tire pressure on all four of your tires (plus your spare
if you’ve got one) with a pressure gauge, but make sure you do the
test before driving rather than right after.
And if you want to test the tread depth of your tires, all you
need is a penny. Slide the penny between the grooves, and if Abe
Lincoln’s head is covered up, you’re good to go.
05. Check Your Lights
This one is quick and easy, but it can save you a headache (and
potentially a traffic citation).
Have your child turn on their car, then stand outside as they
turn on the headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and emergency
flashers. Given that each light comes in a pair, it’s pretty easy
to overlook when one has burned out.
06. Pack a Roadside Emergency Kit
One of the best things about our vehicles is that they’re sort
of like mobile storage units, right?
We wouldn’t recommend making a car your second closet, but do
pack a roadside emergency kit, including a first aid kit, a tire
jack, a tire pressure gauge, flares, jumper cables, and other basic
essentials like a blanket, gloves, non-perishable snacks, and a
bottle of water. You never really know what you’ll need, right?
07. Sign Up For Roadside Assistance
No matter how prepared your kid is for their voyage to college,
unavoidable and unpreventable incidents will occur eventually.
One way to make sure your kid is always safe and accounted for is
to invest in a roadside assistance service. That way they’ll have
a lifeline they can call no matter where they are, no matter what
the issue is.
