Happy September to you all; as we prepare ourselves to welcome back the cool fall weather, it also means that back to school is right around the corner. Many schools and colleges will be welcoming back their students very shorty & we at Walt's Auto Service want you as parents and loved ones to be prepared as your child begins the drive back to school. Let's start by easing some stress and thoroughly preparing our students with a well-working and equipped vehicle. Walt's Auto Service presents - Getting your child's car ready for back to school.
Cleaning the Vehicle: Who doesn't love a fresh, clean exterior? Cleaning the outside of your vehicle isn't all about aesthetics; dirt & debris can damage the body of your car over time and lead to more costly repairs. Take this cleaning day as a time to explain more details about the exterior of a vehicle with your soon-to-be student. Take them to a local auto shop to pick up cleaning supplies that they can take with them in their trunk. Don't forget about the interior! Research self-cleaning stations near their school, or perhaps buy a mini vacuum perfect for cleaning the interior of their vehicle.
Vehicle Inspection: One of the most important steps is to schedule a vehicle check-up at your trusted auto shop. Doing a complete check before a long drive & before the vehicle and your child is far away is not only ensuring their safety but perhaps saving time and money in the future by detecting problems earlier on. No one wants to get the unexpected phone call from their student of "something wrong with my car." During an in-depth Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI), the minor details are taken care of that you might not even think about by checking the windshield wiper fluids, brake pads, coolant levels, oil levels, etc. The list goes on.
Windshield Wipers: Visibility is vital for everyone's safety while driving. Take into consideration getting a fresh pair on. With the fall weather coming into play, your windshield wipers should be changed to ensure your student can see in all weather conditions. During this time, also remember to refill any windshield wiper fluids!
Emergency Kit: Packing an emergency kit and going through it with your driver is a significant essential step for preparing for back to school. Everyone should have an emergency kit in their trunk because you never know when that emergency- small or large- can occur. Items such as a flashlight or headlamp, batteries, blanket, reflective triangle & road flares are commonly thought of when packing an emergency kit. But we often forget it's also essential to have a nice stack of non-perishable food & a decent water supply if one is stranded overnight. A set of practical clothes should also be in the trunk just in case.
Below are a couple of different website emergency kit lists for your convenience.
Safety Kits Plus List
A Secure Life List
AAA - (consider purchasing roadside assistance for your college-bound student.)
Document Check
Creating a small folder with all the vehicle's paperwork (registration, insurance, driver's license, roadside assistance) is a great way to ensure your driver is well prepared in the case of a pull-over or any other situation. We often forget to provide the most recent copy of our car insurance card, so double-check the proper one is in their vehicle before taking off.
Tire Checking
Hopefully, one will never need to use their spare tire, but that doesn't decrease its importance. Perhaps give a tutorial to your driver if they ever need to change their tire in an emergency. But before they leave, make sure the spare is in proper working condition. The air pressure, tread, and condition can be checked at Walt's Auto Service to ensure the spare is in good condition. Over time, if the spare sits, it can develop dry rot, meaning cracks and punctures eat away, compromising the quality of the spare.
At Walt's Auto Service, the team hopes you enjoyed this informative blog about preventive maintenance and how to prepare your vehicle for fall. If you're looking for an honest and dependable Torrance auto repair shop, place your trust in Walt's Auto Service. We are a family-owned and operated business with an extremely high level of customer service, located at 340 Van Ness Ave., Ste. C, Torrance, CA 90501. We hope to see you soon; call us today or book an appointment online!