Car Care to Teach Your Kids Before they Head to College

Dear Driving for Dollars,

My daughter is going away to college soon and we are buying an older car for her. She doesn't know anything about car care. What are some basics I can tell her to help make sure she doesn't get stranded?

-- Luke

Dear Luke,

There are several basics about car care that are easy to keep a watchful eye for that will help reduce the possibility of being stranded on the roadside.

First, one of the biggest causes of car breakdowns is a flat tire. Inspect the tires for proper tread depth and issues that may cause problems, such as flat spots or cracks in the sidewall. Then, teach your daughter how to check her tire pressure. (The proper inflation rating is located on a sticker inside the driver's side doorjamb.) Have her set a reminder on her cellphone to check the pressure monthly, since tires naturally lose pressure over time.

Advise your daughter to get in the "listen and look" habit. For this element of car care, remind her that she should listen for any different sounds, including the not-so-obvious ones such as the engine running a bit louder than usual, and tell her not to ignore anything that is unusual.

Have her look for puddles under the car every time she leaves a parking spot and teach her that the puddle of water from the climate control system is harmless. Also, show her the section of the car owner's manual that identifies all the dashboard lights and their meanings, so she knows whether to respond and how.

Speaking of dashboard lights, another common reason for getting stranded is running out of gas. Make sure she is in the habit of watching the gas gauge and knows what the dashboard light looks like that signals her car is running on reserves.

Of course, it's also a good idea to have the car thoroughly inspected by a mechanic before your daughter heads off to college so that any issues can be diagnosed and repaired to ensure she gets started on the right foot.

For more tips, read four costly car maintenance mistakes to avoid.

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