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NEW DRIVER IN THE FAMILY? KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND.
American Pride Automotive • Sep 06, 2013
Many parents of new drivers are apprehensive before putting their “babies” in the driver’s seat for the first time (And, let’s be honest, the apprehension never really goes away…we are parents after all). With that in mind, you probably want to do everything you can to help your new driver stay safe, secure and responsible on the road.
Along with driving with your child often and setting a good example with your own driving, make sure they are aware of the responsibilities associated with driving and owning a car. While thorough knowledge of the rules of the road and plenty of practice are very important to developing a seasoned driver, understanding how to take care of a vehicle is also vital.
The Car Care Council offers a great way to help teens remember what it takes to care for a vehicle with “The ABCs of Car Care.” They are as follows:
- “A– ALWAYS FOLLOW A PREVENTATIVE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PLAN.
- B–BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR CAR INSPECTED WHEN YOU SUSPECT THERE IS A PROBLEM.
- C–CORRECT THE PROBLEM TO HELP AVOID THE INCONVENIENCE AND POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARDS OF BREAKING DOWN AWAY FROM HOME.”
What does a preventative maintenance plan entail?
Check tire pressure/condition, lights, and washer fluid monthly.
Every 3 months, bring the vehicle in for a routine checkup. Have a certified technician visually inspect steering fluid, oil levels and condition, hoses, belts, the battery, engine air filter and transmission fluid.
Replace wiper blades as needed.
Once a year, get your coolant, suspension & alignment, air conditioning system and spark plugs checked and adjusted.
A basic guide for the “A” in the ABCs of Car Care, the above list is hardly exhaustive. That’s why you should remind your child to stay aware of any noises, smells or change in ride quality, as those may be signs of a problem that needs attention (“B,” by the way). As for “C,” help your child understand that putting off a somewhat costly car repair usually just results in a much more costly car repair later. By fixing the problem right away, they will avoid a world of inconvenience and risk in the future.
One thing we pride ourselves on at American Pride is the number of American Pride customers whose children grow up to be customers as well. When getting your child started on the road to successful car care and ownership, you can trust American Pride to offer them not just reliable vehicle maintenance and repair, but also tried and true advice. Call or contact American Pride today.
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You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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