Students’ Guide to Car Care

Parents have a lot to be concerned about when their children go off to school, whether it’s boarding school or college, it’s only natural to worry about what they’re doing when they’re away from your direct supervision. Even the most responsible, intelligent teenagers and young adults can get too caught up in the excitement of school activities to give attention to important parts of their lives like taking care of their cars.

Even with roadside assistance programs and auto clubs like Triple A, young drivers should know the basics about routine car maintenance and repairs. The more they learn while living under their parents’ roof, the more prepared they will be when they’re off on their own.

Before the kids head off to college, be sure their vehicles are in excellent working condition by having them checked at the Berlin City Toyota Service Center in Gorham, New Hampshire. Residents in and around Gorham, Littleton, Lancaster, Conway, Bethel, ME, NH and VT know that Berlin City is a trusted name for auto repair and service in the New England area.

All cars should have an emergency kit in them and these kits should be fully stocked to help out in the event of a breakdown, accident or some other emergency situation. Some items to include are bottles of water, blankets, flares, non-perishable food items, jumper cables, flat tire repair kit and jack (but they should only use this if they know how as changing a tire can be dangerous), first-aid kit, flashlight, cash, clothing to keep warm in cold temperatures, and anything else you can think of that would help your child feel safe while they wait for help to arrive.

Make sure the car battery has a lot of life left in it. Car batteries should be replaced every three to five years, so before sending your children off to school, make sure they have a new battery in their car. Some signs a battery is dying is that a car struggles to start and electrical equipment in the car does not work properly (radio, wipers, headlights, etc.).

Make sure the tires have good tread and not worn or bald. Driving on worn or bald tires can be very dangerous and can result in a blowout or loss of control of the vehicle. Teach your children how to use a tire gauge and make sure there is a tire gauge in the car at all times.

Make sure the car’s fluids are topped off. Teach your children how to check their oil, add windshield wiper fluid to their car and know how often to have brake fluid, transmission fluid and other important fluids checked. When in doubt, check the car’s owner’s manual for a routine maintenance schedule or contact a trusted service center like Berlin City Toyota Service Center in Gorham. Families in and around Gorham, Littleton, Lancaster, Conway, Bethel, ME, VT and NH have chosen Berlin City Toyota for all their car care needs for many years now because we have the best and brightest automotive technicians in the business on our team.