August is almost here, and marks back to school for many of our younger drivers! But before you pack up the car and hit the road for school, there's a few things you should do to ensure you and your vehicle’s safety this back to school season. Below you will find 8 essential back to school car care tips to ensure you have peace of mind when you hit the road this year! So go ahead, take a peek below, and if you find that your vehicle is in need of maintenance or repairs, schedule an appointment with our certified service professionals today! Looking to upgrade this school year? Slip behind the wheel of a new Nissan from Younger Nissan of Frederick just in time for school!
Top off all the fluids
- Regular oil changes are a must, but that isn’t the only fluid you should be keeping an eye on in your vehicle.
- Keep an eye out for transmission, brakes, coolants, and more. Clean fluids help your engine run smoothly, while dirty fluids can cause damage.
- Headlight or taillight out? Lights out on your vehicle are very dangerous. A burned-out headlight can impair your ability to see the road clearly, increasing the risk of a flat tire or accident. While a burnt-out taillight can make it hard to see you.
- Simply turn your lights on while the car is in park, and walk around the entire vehicle to make sure your headlights, rear lights, blinkers, and hazards are functioning properly.
- Not only will this keep you safe, but it will keep you from getting a pulled over/ a ticket.
- If you need replacement, just schedule a service appointment today.
- Improper tire pressure can cause you to get fewer miles per gallon? It can also increase wear and tear, resulting in a need to replace the tires sooner than normal, and becoming very costly.
- To keep your tires in tip-top shape, keep a tire gauge in your car and check the pressure monthly.
- Check for wear and tear by utilizing the “penny test” by inserting an upside-down penny in the tread groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to get new tires.
- You don’t want to be driving down the highway, and go to use your wipers and have no washer fluid! Your windshield wiper fluid needs to be topped off to ensure you have good visibility in poor weather.
- Wiper blades need regular replacement too, usually every six to twelve months.
- Don’t find yourself getting out of a class only to find your battery has died.
- If your car is sluggish to start or if the dashboard lights or radio are giving you trouble, it may be a sign you need a new battery.
- Batteries only last three to five years, so if you’ve had yours a long time, it’s probably time for a new one.
- If you find you need a replacement, your mechanic can test your battery during routine maintenance and oil changes.
- Buckle up and stay safe this school year. Simply wearing a properly fitted seatbelt saves thousands of lives each year.
- It’s one of the most effective ways to avoid serious injury in an accident. Airbags alone are not enough to protect you.
- Make sure your seatbelt is secured tightly across the pelvis and rib cage.
- It’s no secret that your brakes are a crucial part of your drive.
- Worn brakes can make it hard to stop quickly and can cause your car to travel farther before coming to a halt — making it more likely you’ll find yourself in an accident.
- To avoid that, a professional mechanic should check your vehicle’s brakes regularly, preferably as part of a routine maintenance check performed during regular oil changes.
- It’s never a bad idea to be prepared! Items you’ll want to keep in your car in case of trouble include a flashlight, tire repair kit, first aid items, a basic tool kit (lug wrench, screwdriver, hammer), jumper cables, hazard triangle, a blanket, and even a small amount of cash.
