How to Help Your Teen Take Care of Their Car
When your teenager gets their license, there is much more than handing over the keys to prepare them for the road. You want to ensure they have the proper guidance and knowledge to care for their car in general and in cases of emergencies. Let’s explore some essential auto maintenance that can prepare your teen for the road and help them take care of their car.
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Check Fluid Levels
You’ll want to teach your teen how to maintain their car regularly. Basic car maintenance includes checking the oil and getting consistent oil changes, so it doesn’t affect the gas mileage or efficiency of the vehicle. You can check your engine’s oil by removing and cleaning the dipstick and then reinserting it for a clean read.
There are five fluids you need to check for optimal performance frequently. You’ll want to ensure that your car engine is cool and that you’re parked on level ground before you check your fluids. You can find the coolant in a clear plastic container near the radiator.
The power steering fluid is by the firewall at the base of the windshield. The brake fluid and windshield washer fluid are typically in a transparent reservoir. Ensure that all fluids are between the minimum and maximum lines and fill them when they are low.
Keep It Clean
Express how important it is to keep your car clean. Keeping the car clean will teach your teen to take pride in what they own. Keeping their car clean can also ensure that the vents are unclogged, storage compartments lock for safety and everything works properly. You can buy car spray bottles for sale for that quick on-the-go clean, fresh, and sweet smell look of their car.
A vehicle is a significant investment–your teen should know how to care effectively. You should frequently clean the car’s exterior to ensure it stays in good condition and prevent damage to the paint job.
Pressure washing your car can ensure higher efficiency and be more eco-friendly since they use less water than traditional hoses. Plus, it’s quicker and more accessible, which will likely appeal to your teen. Ensure that the car is free of dirt and grime that can eat away at your paint and dull the exterior of your vehicle.
Check and Change Tires
Checking the tire pressure is a vital part of caring for your car. Train teens to check their tires every time they enter their vehicle to ensure they aren’t low or flat. They can use a tire pressure gauge or visually check them. You can find the recommended pounds per square inch (PSI) in the owner’s manual of your car. When your tires have low pressure, they are more likely to blow out and adversely affect your car’s performance.
Changing a tire is a more complex process, but everyone that drives a car should know how to do it. When there is bad weather or they don’t have the proper tools, they should call for roadside assistance. However, your teen may find themselves in a situation where this isn’t possible. Ensure they have a spare tire in their vehicle, a car jack, a lug wrench and their user manual in their vehicle at all times.
Teach your teen the necessary protocol for these situations, like how to safely pull off the road, turn on their hazard lights, apply their e-brake and wait for assistance or change the tire themselves. Most vehicles store a spare tire and a jack in a compartment under the trunk floor. Your teen will need to know how to safely use a jack to jack up the car and change the tire. Run through the process at home, so they feel confident changing a tire.
Jumpstart the Battery
A dead battery is a common issue that your teen will likely experience in their vehicle. This can happen when a battery is damaged or due to doors not being shut or interior lights being left on for an extended period. Ensure that your teen always has a set of jumper cables in their vehicle and is familiar with how to use them.
Discuss safety rules with your teen and explain how to use jumper cables. Consider going through the process at home to equip them for the road better. Move cars nose to nose to make the cables reach under the hoods easier. Ensure both engines are off and that their parking brakes are engaged.
Teach your teen how to match the plus and minus signs on the batteries and that the disabled vehicles plus sign should be attached first. Once the car starts, let the cars run for a few minutes so it can charge. You can also equip your teen with a jumpstart kit that can help tremendously in these situations.
Helping Your Teen With Their Car
Your child should know what the lights inside the car mean when they come on and how to maintain the basic needs of the vehicle. With freedom comes responsibility and they’ll learn the hard way if they don’t prepare for inevitable situations like low tire pressure or a drained battery. Ensure your teen knows the necessary steps to take care of their car.
