As your teen driver gets ready to head back to school, take a few steps to help prevent any bumps in the road. Teens love the freedom and independence of driving their own car! So, before they crank up the tunes and head to campus, make sure you and your teen are prepared with these important tips.
- Test Your Car Battery: Avoid tardies, and detention,
by making sure your teen’s car battery is in good working condition. Schedule a battery test with your AAA Membership. A Technician comes to you –whether you are at home, school, or a friend’s house – to check your battery’s condition and replace it, if needed.
- Change Your Oil and Check the Fluids: Your car has six essential fluids that keep it running. Have the oil changed and fluids checked for the radiator, brakes, power steering, transmission, and windshield wipers.
- Check Your Brakes: The most important safety feature on your car is the brakes! Bad brakes can cause serious accidents. Have your brakes inspected by an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician at a AAA Approved Auto Repair shop. Find an AAR facility near you.
- Keep Your Tires Rolling: Before your teen hits the road, check the treads, making sure they are 1/16th of an inch and evenly worn. You also need to check the air in each tire with a pressure gauge. Most cars recommend 32 – 35 psi in the tires. Check the sticker inside your driver’s door to find the right psi for your car.
While your car insurance may offer roadside assistance, you and/or your teen may face higher premiums for filed claims. Make sure your teen is prepared for the unexpected, whether it’s a dead car battery, a flat tire, or they locked their keys in the car. Have peace of mind and a safeguard in place with a AAA Membership. Click here to learn about special pricing and programs for teen drivers.
If you need a battery quote for your vehicle, get a car battery quote online or call 1-800-AAA-HELP.
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Here’s a few additional safety tips for your teen driver to remember:
- Look out for pedestrians, especially near the school and in the parking lot.
- Brush up on school bus laws. Remember, it is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
- Share the road with bicyclists. When passing a bicyclist, proceed slowly in the same direction, and leave three (3) feet between your car and the cyclist.
- Click here to read more tips from the National Safety Council.
Originally published in 2020 by Casey Johnson, Club Assist.
