Student’s guide to car care maintenance

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Check your vehicle's tires before heading back to school.[/caption]The back-to-school season means hitting the books. Just make sure to include your vehicle’s owner’s manual along with those volumes devoted to math, science, history and English.Whether your student is staying close to home in Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Lake Forest, Mundelein, Gurnee or Lake Bluff, or making the trek to a far-away college, hunkering down and thumbing through your owner’s manual will help ensure your car is roadworthy and in tip top shape for back-to-school commuting.Parents, it’s never too early to school your kids on car care maintenance, so the following info is good stuff for the new high school driver or college bound freshman. It’s important you share not only the rules of the road, but car-care tips. Teaching good maintenance practices early leads to lifelong skills that will maximize the vehicle’s longevity and keep your young driver and his passengers safe.Students: Hear this! The car’s sound system isn’t your vehicle’s most important feature. While the ability to crank out the tunes is impressive, keeping your car well-maintained will keep you, your passengers and fellow road warriors safe!Maintenance 101While the owner’s manual provides an easy safety roadmap, also turn to websites, your family car-enthusiast or a service technician at Auto Lab in Libertyville for added maintenance advice. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or peek under the hood before heading off for that college adventure or high-school football game. Facing a car-maintenance puzzler? Contact us at Auto Lab and we’ll help you solve it.Begin with the basic BTFE plan. Translation: Check the Batteries, Tires, Fluids and pack an Emergency kit before you hit the road.Battery back-upBatteries should be replaced every three to five years. If your car has trouble starting or the electrical system (headlights, radio, wipers) is on the bum, the battery or alternator could be the problem. You also should look for corrosion or stains on the battery. These are all signs of a leaking battery or evidence it’s on its last legs. A battery is vital to keeping your car running. Don’t skimp on this essential car part. If you need a new one, buy it or let Auto Lab technicians replace it for you.Tired tiresNeed more money for gas and new tires? Then check your tires every time you fuel up or travel to college. Underinflated tires affect safety and impact fuel economy, and will shorten their life. Check pressure regularly and you’ll notice the difference in your debit card. Tip: The correct pressure is shown on a sticker in the driver’s side door or glove box and in the owner’s manual—not on the tire.View our new video for the skinny on keeping your tires at the correct pressure.You also need to check tire treads to ensure they have enough life in them. If you see any uneven wear, get them checked as soon as possible before your trip. You must have 2/32-inch tread on the tires, which you can check by placing a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32-inch of tread depth remaining. You must have at least 2/32-inch tread on the tires, although 4/32 inch of tread is even better. To check for 4/32, do the same thing, except use a quarter and see if the tread touches Washington's head. Don’t forget to check your spare monthly, too.Learn to change a flat tire because help might not always be available, especially when commuting back and forth to college. Even with roadside assistance, there might be times when you’re too far away or it would take too long for help to arrive. To become a tire-changing pro, practice a couple of times in your driveway until you’re comfortable with the job. If you have a flat tire, find a safe place to pull completely off the road and turn on your hazard lights. While you might damage your wheel or rim, it’s much safer to make your way to a rest area or an exit than working by the side of the highway.Fluid fill upMonitoring your car’s fluid levels is one of the best things you can do to maintain your vehicle. Your owner’s manual outlines the location of each of these fluids, even though most reservoirs are labeled. Make sure the vehicle is parked on a level surface and the engine is cool. (It takes about 8 hours for an engine to completely cool down after a vehicle has been driven.)Engine oil or transmission fluid is checked with level-indicating dipsticks. Power-steering and brake fluids usually are contained in level-marked reservoirs. When it comes to wiper fluid, just fill it up to the line and check every time you stop at a gas station.Use extra caution when checking coolant level. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual and adhere to the warning labels under the hood. Ideally, you’ll be able to look through the side of the coolant overflow tank and not have to open the tank itself. Never, ever open the radiator cap if the car has been driven within the past several hours. The fluid contained in a radiator can become extremely hot and scald flesh.While you’re under the hood, always check for loose wires or connections, worn or exposed wires, or loose or warped belts. All need to be replaced sooner rather than later.Emergency kitAccidents happen, but are you prepared? Pack an emergency kit so you’re well-prepared for almost anything.Kit basics include:

• flashlight
• first-aid kit
• warning light
• hazard triangle or flares
• spare fuses
• $20 in small bills and change
• tire-changing jack
• lug wrench

Be sure to have your license, insurance and registration. Also make sure you have the number of your roadside-assistance plan handy.Questions on your vehicle’s back-to-school GPA? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help.