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Teaching teenagers proper car maintenance is a valuable skill that promotes responsibility and safety on the road. It also helps them avoid costly repairs and ensures their car runs reliably. By starting early, teens can build lifelong habits that make them more confident drivers. Below are essential maintenance tips for teenage drivers that parents can use to instill good car care practices.
1. Check and Maintain Tire Pressure
Tires are one of the most critical parts of a vehicle, yet they’re often overlooked. Driving with incorrect tire pressure can reduce fuel efficiency, increase tire wear, and even lead to dangerous blowouts on the road. For teenage drivers who may not yet recognize the importance of routine car checks, maintaining proper tire pressure is an easy and impactful habit to develop. Regular tire checks also help prevent uneven wear, which can save money on replacements over time.
How To Do It:
Using a tire pressure gauge, compare the current tire pressure with the recommended levels found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door. If the pressure is off, add or release air as needed. Encourage teens to check the pressure monthly and before long trips.
2. Learn How to Check the Oil
The engine oil in a car plays a crucial role in lubricating engine parts, reducing friction, and preventing overheating. Over time, oil levels can drop or become dirty, leading to poor engine performance or even costly damage. For teenage drivers, learning to check and monitor the oil is a simple yet essential skill that ensures their car continues to run smoothly. Developing this habit early on saves money and teaches them to be attentive to their car’s needs.
How To Do It:
Show your teen how to locate the oil dipstick, typically marked with a bright handle under the hood. With the engine off, pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and pull it out again to check the oil level and color. If the oil is low or dirty, it’s time for an oil change.
3. Monitor Coolant and Other Fluids
Every car relies on a range of fluids to operate effectively, from the coolant that prevents the engine from overheating to the brake fluid that ensures the vehicle stops safely. Understanding the importance of these fluids is key for teenage drivers to avoid preventable breakdowns and ensure safety on the road. Regularly monitoring fluid levels helps identify minor issues before they escalate, such as a slow leak or contamination.
How To Do It:
Locate the coolant reservoir and ensure the liquid is between the “min” and “max” lines. For brake and washer fluids, look for clear reservoirs under the hood and top them off as needed. Remind teens never to open the radiator cap when the engine is hot.
4. Inspect Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers may not seem like a critical safety feature, but poor visibility during rain or snow can create dangerous driving conditions. Worn-out or damaged wipers can reduce visibility, putting the driver and others at risk. For teenage drivers who are still developing their confidence and skills behind the wheel, having functioning wipers is an easy yet impactful step toward safer driving.
How To Do It:
Check the rubber on the blades for cracks or tears. Replacing them is as simple as following the instructions on the wiper packaging. Most auto parts stores will even install them for free with a purchase.
5. Learn to Change a Flat Tire
Flat tires are an unfortunate but common reality for drivers, and knowing how to replace one is critical for anyone on the road. For teenage drivers, this knowledge boosts their confidence and prepares them to handle unexpected situations independently. Even if they rarely need to use this skill, knowing what to do can make a stressful situation much more manageable.
How To Do It:
Show teens how to safely use the car’s jack, locate the spare tire, and operate a lug wrench to remove and replace a flat tire. Practice together in a safe space like your driveway so they feel confident.
6. Check Headlights and Taillights
Lights are essential to vehicle safety, ensuring that the driver can see and be seen on the road. Burnt-out headlights or taillights reduce visibility and can even result in a traffic violation. For teenage drivers, regular checks of the car’s lights reinforce the importance of staying proactive about their vehicle’s condition.
How To Do It:
Have your teen test the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals periodically by turning them on and walking around the car. If a light is out, replacing a bulb is usually an inexpensive fix and can often be done at home.
7. Understand Dashboard Warning Lights
Dashboard warning lights are a car’s way of signaling an issue, but these indicators can be confusing to new drivers. Learning what the lights mean and how to respond to them is critical for teenage drivers. Addressing warning lights promptly can prevent minor problems from escalating into major repairs and ensure the car remains safe to drive.
How To Do It:
Review the car manual with your teen to understand what common warning lights represent, such as the check engine or ABS light. If a warning light comes on, bring your car into McCullough NAPA Auto Care for an honest diagnosis by our ASE-certified technicians.
8. Know How to Check the Battery
A functioning battery is essential for starting the car and powering electrical systems. However, batteries can weaken over time, especially in extreme temperatures. Teaching teenage drivers to inspect and care for their batteries reduces the risk of being stranded due to a dead battery. It also encourages proactive maintenance, such as cleaning corrosion or securing loose connections.
How To Do It:
Teach your teen to inspect the battery for corrosion (white or blue powdery buildup) and ensure the terminals are tightly connected. Keep jumper cables in the trunk and show them how to jump-start the car safely or use a portable jump starter.
9. Keep the Car Clean
While cleanliness might seem like a minor maintenance priority, a clean car is less prone to damage and rust over time. Dirt, grime, and salt can cause corrosion, while a cluttered interior can be distracting or hazardous during driving. Encouraging your teenager to keep their car clean instills pride in their vehicle and helps maintain its value.
How To Do It:
Encourage teens to wash the exterior regularly and vacuum the interior. Remind them to clean the windows and mirrors for better visibility. While they’re at it, have them clean your car, too!
10. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Routine maintenance is the foundation of car care, ensuring all systems work efficiently and identifying potential problems before they cause breakdowns. For teenage drivers, staying on top of scheduled services reinforces the importance of preventive care and builds a relationship with a trusted mechanic.
At McCullough NAPA Auto Care, we make maintenance for teenage drivers easy with our 30k/60k/90k mile maintenance program. Whether you’re preparing a car for a new driver or keeping your family vehicle in top shape, our ASE-certified technicians are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your next service and keep your car road-ready!
