Our best back to school car tips

It’s that time of year when students are thinking about getting ready to go back to school.

Not only do they need to be ready but their car should be prepared for the busy months ahead. If you need to drive back home at weekends to get your laundry done, drive to different campuses, or to a part-time job, you need to be able to trust your car will start in all weather conditions.

The same applies to those parents who need to make regular school runs to get kids to and from schools and colleges; their car needs to be reliable.

We’ve assembled some back to school car tips that, with so much more traffic on the roads, ensure that your vehicle is in peak condition to keep drivers and passengers safe.

Back to school car tips – Our top 5

Basic Maintenance

Taking care of a few small jobs before you set off can save you from a big expense further down the road.

Check all of the fluids are topped up, that’s lubes, oil, and water.

Even the windshield washer bottle should be filled, you’re going to need that screen clear as the days shorten and visibility becomes poorer.

Check those wipers; degraded blades won’t keep the screen clear and may screech as they operate. There are few sounds more annoying.

Make sure all of the seat belts are working correctly, it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure all minors are secured safely in their vehicle.

Tires

Checking the tire pressure is a quick and simple task. If you’re unsure what the tire pressure should be, refer back to the vehicle’s handbook.

Use the machine in a gas station, or better still, carry a tire gauge with you.

Tires that aren’t filled to their recommended pressure will cost you money. Your car will get fewer miles to the litre on low tires.

Check the depth of the tread using a toonie. Slot it upside down into one of the grooves, if you can see the top of center piece it’s time to replace the tires.
Warn tire don’t handle or stop as intended particularly when driving in wet or showy conditions.

Brakes

Driving with low brake pads is a risk for you and all other road users.

When brakes are worn, the vehicle will take longer to come to a halt. If you haven’t judged your stopping distances correctly, this could send you into the back of the vehicle in front, or worse.

Routine brake checks should be carried out by a professional mechanic, tie it in with your regular oil change.

If your pedal becomes spongy while driving get vehicle in for a serves checked.

Lights

If you’ve ever been driving and managed to spot an oncoming car without their lights on, you know how infuriating and dangerous it is. Don’t let that driver be you.

Checking that all of the lights on your car work as they should is one of the easiest back to school car tips to carry out, you won’t need a professional.

Simply put the car in park, and check each bulb individually that it is working as it should.

Don’t forget the hazards and blinkers.

Replacement bulbs are inexpensive and pretty easy to change.

Battery

After a long day in class, no-one wants to return to a car with a dead battery that won’t start.

Car batteries have a life span of around 5-years, sometimes longer. As they age, they deteriorate and don’t perform as well as you’d expect. Other signs of a failing or dead battery include;

Slow crank
Dim headlights
Check engine light comes on
Clicking sound from the starter motor

All of these problems are overcome by checking the output of the battery with a voltmeter.

Low readings suggest the battery has exceeded its usable life and should be replaced.

Final thoughts…

Set out like this, it may seem a daunting task. However, not everything has to be done together, most of our back to school car tips can be done as part of routine services and maintenance appointments. Ensuring your car is always road safe can free up time to concentrate on your education and your money for the fun things in life.

So why not book an appointment to day.