August is just around the corner, and whether you’ll be heading back to school or you’re a parent of a child who will be heading back to school, this week’s blog is for you! If you or your child will be heading back to school this August, I’m sure you’ll be running around trying to get everything in order before they pack the car up and go. However, your friends at King Volkswagen want to remind you to service your vehicle before you go. Vehicles tend to get overlooked during the back-to-school season, but nothing can ruin your back-to-school experience like a breakdown. So take a peek at 8 helpful car care tips below. If you find you need maintenance or repair, leave it to our certified service professionals! Schedule a service appointment today or upgrade completely, and browse our new inventory today!
Change it up.
- Don’t find yourself getting out of a class only to find your battery has died.
- If your car is sluggish to start or if the dashboard lights or radio are giving you trouble, it may be a sign you need a new battery.
- Batteries only last three to five years, so if you’ve had yours a long time, it’s probably time for a new one.
- If you find you need a replacement, your mechanic can test your battery during routine maintenance and oil changes.
Take a peek at your lights.
- Headlight or taillight out? Lights out on your vehicle are very dangerous. A burned-out headlight can impair your ability to see the road clearly, increasing the risk of a flat tire or accident. While a burnt-out taillight can make it hard to see you.
- Simply turn your lights on while the car is in the park, and walk around the entire vehicle to make sure your headlights, rear lights, blinkers, and hazards are functioning properly.
- Not only will this keep you safe, but it will keep you from getting a pulled over/ a ticket.
- If you need a replacement, just schedule a service appointment today.
Top off all the fluids
- Regular oil changes are a must, but that isn’t the only fluid you should be keeping an eye on in your vehicle.
- Keep an eye out for transmission, brakes, coolants, and more. Clean fluids help your engine run smoothly, while dirty fluids can cause damage.
Keep your tires properly inflated
- Improper tire pressure can cause you to get fewer miles per gallon? It can also increase wear and tear, resulting in a need to replace the tires sooner than normal, and becoming very costly.
- To keep your tires in tip-top shape, keep a tire gauge in your car and check the pressure monthly.
- Check for wear and tear by utilizing the “penny test” by inserting an upside-down penny in the tread groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to get new tires.
Check your seatbelts—and wear them.
- Buckle up and stay safe this school year. Simply wearing a properly fitted seatbelt saves thousands of lives each year.
- It’s one of the most effective ways to avoid serious injury in an accident. Airbags alone are not enough to protect you.
- Make sure your seatbelt is secured tightly across the pelvis and rib cage.
Take a break and get your brakes checked
- It’s no secret that your brakes are a crucial part of your drive.
- Worn brakes can make it hard to stop quickly and can cause your car to travel farther before coming to a halt — making it more likely you’ll find yourself in an accident.
- To avoid that, a professional mechanic should check your vehicle’s brakes regularly, preferably as part of a routine maintenance check performed during regular oil changes.
Pack an emergency kit just in case
- It’s never a bad idea to be prepared! Items you’ll want to keep in your car in case of trouble include a flashlight, tire repair kit, first aid items, a basic tool kit (lug wrench, screwdriver, hammer), jumper cables, hazard triangle, a blanket, and even a small amount of cash.
Don’t forget your wipers
- You don’t want to be driving down the highway, and go to use your wipers and have no washer fluid! Your windshield wiper fluid needs to be topped off to ensure you have good visibility in poor weather.
- Wiper blades need regular replacement too, usually every six to twelve months.
