Before your college kid leaves for a new year, make sure they’re prepared for the drive and the months of driving they’ll have to do around their campus.
Check tire pressure and tire tread.
One of the best ways to help maintain your tires and prevent uneven wear is checking the tire pressure routinely. Teach your college student how to check them and the measurement they want them at, which is typically listed on the driver’s side door. Also, teach them how to inspect the tire tread with the penny test.
Test the battery.
Remember that your college kid will be gone for months at a time, so if it’s recommended to replace the battery before winter comes, then plan it out. Would it be easiest to get the battery replaced during the maintenance appointment before they leave for college? Or do they know a trusted service center near campus?
Top off fluids.
Parts like windshield wiper, coolant, brake, transmission, and power steering fluids are key for safe vehicle operation. Make sure all of those are properly filled and you’re using high-quality products. If you ask for those to be topped off at a maintenance appointment, you won’t have to worry about researching types of vehicle fluids.
Change the engine oil and filters.
Most cars need their oil changed every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, so check the vehicle’s owner’s manual to check on those specifics. This is one of the easiest ways to help prevent wear and tear on the vehicle, and it’s a pretty quick service. Asking them to schedule this maintenance would be a great way to introduce your college student to more responsibility for the care of their vehicle.
Replace windshield wiper blades.
Windshield wiper blades should be replaced around every year, so it might be time for that service. Being stuck with wipers that miss large areas of the windshield or leave streaks is not safe when driving in rain.
Check belts and hoses.
More often than not, new drivers are given a used car for their first vehicle, and that car hopefully will last them through college as well. If so, that means it will start to reach preventative maintenance milestones like replacing parts of the brake system and other belts or hoses.
Overall, it never hurts to bring their car in for some all-over maintenance and inspection before your kid heads off to college. You could also try researching the area around their campus to check reviews of local service centers in case they ever need to bring their car in for an issue. Superior Service Center has been serving the Southern Twin Cities metro since 1982 and can help you with all your car repair needs.