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Fall has arrived, and with it comes school bells, homework, carpools, and early mornings again. There are a lot of adjustments that come with a new school year, and that goes for your vehicle as well. There are some ways to make sure your back to school transition goes smoothly, and that starts with a reliable ride. Simple maintenance and precautions will ensure that you are safe and secure with your vehicle, less prone to breakdowns and missed classes.

 

1-     Turn off lights- Earlier mornings will mean that there may be days you are leaving your house in the dark or during sunrise. For added safety, you should always remember to turn on your lights, so that pedestrians, kids at school bus stops, and at crosswalks can more easily see you. This also means that in all the hustle and bustle of mornings, you may forget to turn your lights OFF. Nothing will drain a battery faster than forgetting your lights- always check them when leaving the vehicle to prevent any potential delays.

 

2-     Check all fluids- One of the easiest maintenance steps is to check your fluid levels, and do quick top offs or schedule an oil change. You will want to check your oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and washer fluid. Making sure than your car has all the proper levels of fluids can prevent some of the most common causes of breakdowns.

 

3-     Check for leaks and cracks- With the car running, check for any signs of leaks, cracks, or odd sounds. These could mean you may need some simple repairs or replacements that could save you money and time in the long run. Your mechanic will be able to diagnose leaks, knocks, and other symptoms. Don’t wait if you have any signs of upkeep, you could be missing an underlying problem.

 

4-     Check the battery- Especially if you’ve frequently skipped step one on this list. Repeated battery drains can reduce the effectiveness of your battery. Check to see if your connections are strong and if you have signs of corrosion. Replace batteries that are more than 5 years old, and ask to have your voltage checked at your next maintenance service.

 

5-     Have a plan for emergencies- Nothing can be completely prevented but if you plan on emergencies happening on those rare occasions you may save yourself from being stranded. Make sure you have a spare tire and jack in your vehicle, or a flat tire kit, as well as jumper cables, and weather gear, like chains, if applicable. It may also be a smart idea to keep a small emergency bag and first aid kit at your disposal. If there is ever an event that you are stranded or away from home, you want to make sure you have a flashlight, flares, and an emergency blanket, as well as water. 

 

6-     Check your tires- As a major part of your vehicle, tires are often neglected in preventative maintenance. Make sure you are keeping up on your scheduled rotations and wheel balancing. Keep tires clean and debris free. Always have a tire pressure gauge handy in your glove box to check for proper inflation. Over inflation or under inflation may cause damage to the tires and make them more prone to flats. Last but not least, make sure you keep your valve stem free from debris and properly capped, to prevent any chance of a loss of air pressure that could cause flats.

 

From our family to yours- Have a happy and safe school year!