Back to school car maintenance is a great way to ensure reliable transportation when kids of all ages start a new school year. You may need to get ready for morning drop-offs and a safe ride home after classes every Monday through Friday.
If you have a college kid, tending to safety issues such as essential car maintenance has benefits. Handling back-to-college car care could provide peace of mind and help avoid major repair costs. Essential tips follow for ensuring reliable transportation during the busy school year.
Brake Inspection
The ability to stop suddenly helps avoid car collisions, and good brakes are required. As brakes wear out, the ability to stop quickly may be hindered. With the stops-and-starts of after school traffic especially in mind, get your vehicle’s brakes checked by a professional mechanic.
Battery Check
Something as simple as the need for a new car battery could mean someone is late for class or stranded after a late night at the library. Signs that a new car battery is needed include sluggish starts and problems with the radio or dashboard lights.
Batteries generally last 3 to 5 years. Get the car battery tested to help guarantee a safe ride home all semester long.
Inspect Windshield Wipers
Don’t forget visibility as part of your back to school car care. The ability to see when driving in a rainstorm can be as simple as a good pair of windshield wipers. However, windshield wiper fluid is just as important.
Some auto experts recommend the replacement of windshield wiper blades every 6 to 12 months. Watch for the following signs that replacement windshield wipers are needed:
- The wipers leave streaks on your windshield
- The frame of the blade is damaged or bent
- The rubber adhesive is deteriorating
- The windshield wiper blades don’t maintain contact with the windshield
- The squeaking of the windshield wiper blades is distracting
Top Off Fluids
If it’s time for the regular oil change, that’s an important way to properly top off fluids. Go to your trusted professional mechanic so that all car fluids can be checked, including brakes, coolants, wiper fluids, and the transmission.
Inspect the Lights
Avoid visibility issues that could result in a collision by checking all lights. Rear lights, blinkers, hazards, and headlights should be in good working condition. Broken bulbs should always be replaced as quickly as possible.
Check the Tires
Reliable transportation isn’t possible in any car if the tire treads are overworn. Replace tires as needed. Routinely check the air in the tires if getting the best gas mileage possible is important to you.
The tires themselves will last longer if they are maintained with the proper air pressure. Well-maintained tires keep overall costs down and help ensure a safe ride home after school.
Visit Shur-Way Auto Body Shop for Collision Repair
Even if you’re awesome about back to school car maintenance, it’s sometimes impossible to avoid a collision. Visit Shur-Way Auto Body Shop for St. Louis MO collision repair services.
We don’t typically provide standard maintenance services that help guarantee reliable transportation after school, but we are always happy to recommend trusted partners in the area.
When auto body repair is needed, isn’t it nice to know Shur-Way Auto Body Shop is family-owned and backs our work with a 100% guarantee? Contact us online, visit our shop at 3540 Greenwood Blvd. in Maplewood MO, or call 314-645-5540 today.