Teaching Your Teen Driver the Value of Preventive Maintenance

It’s summer and for many families that means a road trip to a favorite or new vacation destination.  When I was a child, my parents would pack a picnic lunch and load my two siblings and I into the family station wagon (remember those) for day trips in my home state of Pennsylvania.  I fondly remember lots of license plate bingo and squabbles over who got to sit by the window (alas, I always ended up in the middle), but never any car troubles.  My dad, an avid do-it-yourselfer, regularly changed the oil, checked the tires and kept his vehicles in tip-top shape.

That example certainly stuck with me; I’m a stickler for regular preventive maintenance – tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, tire rotations, replacement wipers.  While I, unlike my dad, rely on my local mechanic to perform these tasks, I’m passing on what I learned to my teenage son in the hopes that he’ll make car care a priority when he’s a vehicle owner. 

Which begs the question, is your teen driver up to snuff on car care?  If he owns a vehicle, I’m betting he’s in the know.  But if your teen drives a family vehicle, having him share in the responsibility of keeping the family wheels in good, safe running order is a valuable life-lesson.  If you’re planning to drive down the shore, to the mountains or some other vacation spot over the next couple of months, why not include your teen in vehicle preparation.  It’s a great opportunity to reinforce that prevention and planning are much easier than dealing with a roadside break down or, even worse, a crash due to a mechanical problem.   

If your car is regularly serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, it should be in good shape and ready to travel.  If not, have your teen schedule a preventive maintenance check (it’s an opportunity for him to practice his phone skills) and then join you in discussing with the mechanic or service representative what was addressed during the visit.  Whether the work is performed by a mechanic or with your teen by your side, here’s a  vehicle safety checklist that every novice driver should be familiar with:   

Tires – Check air pressure, tread wear and the spare, which can lose air over time.  To get an accurate reading, check the pressure when tires are cold.  For the correct pressure, look inside the driver’s side doorframe or in your owner’s manual (the correct pressure isn’t the number listed on the tire).  Tire treads worn down to 1/16 of an inch should be replaced.  Teach your teen to use the Lincoln head penny test or to look for the built-in wear bar indictors.   

Belt and Hoses – Inspect all belts and hoses for signs of blisters, cracks or cuts in the rubber.  Summer heat degrades rubber faster, so err on the side of caution if they’ve not been changed in awhile.  Also check that connections are secure. 

Wiper Blades – Check for wear and tear caused by weather along with summer heat.  If you don’t remember the last time you replaced the wiper blades (most automotive experts recommend every six months) invest in new ones.  If you drive an SUV, don’t forget the rear wiper.  

Cooling system – Carefully check the coolant to make sure it’s adequate.   Regularly flushing and refilling the cooling system is also critical to avoid engine overheating.  

Fluid Levels – A thorough check includes oil, brake, transmission, power steering, coolant, and windshield washer fluid.  Check each reservoir to ensure they are full and look for signs of fluid leaks, which should be serviced as soon as possible. 

Lights – Headlights, brake lights, turns signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights should all be checked to ensure they’re in working order.   If you’re towing a trailer, be sure to check those brake lights and turn signals, too.  

Air Conditioning – While not a necessity unless you’re traveling with someone sensitive to heat, making sure your air conditioning is working properly could be a god-send in extreme heat. 

Regular maintenance will extend a vehicle’s life and save you money over the long-term.  Helping your teen recognize the value of investing in preventive maintenance today to reduce the chances of costly repairs in the future is good advice he’s certain to one-day thank you for.