So you're going to have a new driver in the family. Standard driver's ed courses may have already taught your son or daughter the basics of how to drive, but they seldom teach teens what they really need to know to keep a car running right, so as to avoid costly repairs and keep safe from roadside breakdowns and other mishaps.
Trouble is, many young drivers don't know - or even care - how a car works, or what they need to do to keep it working. There are some, admittedly, who are real gearheads, but most teens have other concerns, like clubs, sports, or their image to the opposite sex. They may be fascinated with the car as a symbol of independence, and as an appliance, but that's it. They get in, turn the key, and it goes. How do you enforce the importance of proper maintenance? As we cover below, helping to educate them is a big start to success.
In the interest of your son or daughter's happiness and safety - and your wallet - do the following before you even let them take to the roads:
Show them the basics underhood. This doesn't have to be complicated. Show your son or daughter around the hood. Show them where the engine is, the alternator, the battery, the transmission, the radiator. If you don't know where everything is, your mechanic will probably be glad to show both of you. Follow up by showing where the items that need the most frequent attention are, like the oil dipstick and filler, the coolant reservoir, and the washer fluid bottle.
Check the spare. Teens tend to drive older vehicles in general, and the condition of the spare is important. Earl Baker, of AAA Approved Auto Repair, says, "Make sure the spare tire in their car has air in it. It's something that's almost always completely overlooked." It may be completely deflated or unusable, or missing altogether. If it's an older car that was bought used, make sure the spare is there, along the jack, and test the jack to make sure it's the correct one and fits the car at the right jacking point.
Set the emergency kit. You should have an emergency toolkit and a first-aid kit in your car, no matter how old the car is or if you only drive around town. Make sure your teen driver knows where the kit is and what's inside. It should include flares, emergency triangles, and a blanket.
Get the paperwork in order. "Make sure they have the proper insurance papers and registration in the vehicle, that they know where they are, and that they're updated. Young people tend to get involved in more minor fender-benders, too, and it only complicates matters," advised Baker. Being able to present the proper documents can help reduce the chances of headaches later on when it comes time to make a claim. Tape a cheat sheet inside the glovebox door for your son or daughter, with who to call, what to say, and what to present.
Give them a cellphone for emergencies, or at least keep a cellphone in the car, but make them promise never to use it while driving. Finally, remind your teen driver about distraction. Inexperience more than cancels out any advantage that the new driver might have in reaction time. Strictly ban them from driving while talking on the cell phone, eating, or drinking. Also place limits on friends who can ride along.
Now that your new driver is familiar with the car, they'll need to know what to do, and how often. "We don't want them to become a hazard on the road when normal maintenance could have avoided it," said Kathy Downing, manager of driver services for the Auto Club, an AAA affiliate for Southern California. Here are some maintenance concerns that should be addressed on a regular basis:
Check the oil. Many teen drivers make it out on the road with no idea how to check the oil, let alone that they should check it at every other fill-up. Some don't even wonder about it until the low oil light flickers and damage has already been done. Make sure they know how to read the dipstick, that the engine needs to be off, and that the car should be parked on level ground. Go over the procedure on what kind of oil to add and how, being careful not to add too much.
Check the tires. Inspect the tread for wear, embedded objects, cracking, or exposed belt material. Check the pressure every other time you fill up with fuel. Consult with the pressures on the inside of the driver's doorsill or inside the fuel filler door.
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