September means that it’s back to school time for high school and college students all around San Diego. San Diego Mesa College, The University of San Diego, National University, San Diego State University, and University of California San Diego are all just a few minutes drive from our location in Kearny Mesa, and they’re about to be flooded with students!
For all the learning that San Diego students are going to do this year, there is one thing they probably won't have a lecture on--proper car care. That’s why we’ve put together a student’s guide to car care to help you get through this school year and beyond in style.
Batteries
Nobody wants to finish a long day at school and get met with a dead battery in the parking lot. Some signs that your battery is struggling and needs to be replaced are if your car struggles to start, or any of the electrical equipment on the car (radio, headlights, wipers, etc.) isn’t working properly. Plus, car batteries need to be replaced every three to five years, so if it’s been awhile since you’ve replaced yours, you should replace your car battery ASAP--or face being stuck in the parking lot and missing that important exam.
Tires
Student living is all about saving money where you can, and maintaining your tires correctly is a sure fire way to save some big bucks. Under inflated tires negatively impact fuel economy and will make them wear out sooner. You can find the correct tire pressure for your car on the driver’s side door or in the owner’s manual. So many sure to check your PSI the next time you fill up at the gas station and your wallet will thank you.
It’s also important to make sure your tires have enough tread on them to avoid more serious (and expensive problems). A simple way to test your tire tread is the penny trick. Just put a penny in your tire tread and if your tread covers Lincoln’s head, your tire is good to go!
Fluids
We’ve already talked about how important it is to maintain your car’s oil level. But it’s also important to make sure that all your other fluids are looking good as well so they last the entire year. Proper levels of engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant are all vital to keep your car running smoothly and must be checked regularly. Your best bet? Bring your car into a trusted auto repair shop in San Diego and get everything checked at once.
Emergency Kit
Finally, while the previous steps will help keep you out of emergencies, it’s still important to put together an emergency kit in case anything does happen. Here is what you should include in any kit:
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Tire jack
- Warning light
- Lug wrench
- Jumper cables
- Hazard triangle
- $20 in small bills
Congratulations! By reading this guide, you’ve already earned an “A” in car care this year (if only your other classes were that easy). For some extra credit, make sure to bring your car in for a complete car checkup to make sure your car is as ready as you for the new school year. Contact Convoy Auto Repair today to find out more.
Image Source: Flickr via State Farm