Going to college is the first taste of true independence for most people – and bringing a car to college can provide even more freedom. But, before you hit the road, it’s important to prepare your car inside and out so that you don’t have to deal with car-related headaches throughout the semester, especially if your school is far away from home.

Use this checklist to make sure your car is ready to go before you set off.

1 – Get the Maintenance Done

Maintenance is key to keeping a car in shape for as long as possible. A few simple maintenance items include:

• Get an oil change.
• Get the brakes checked.
• Check the head and taillights, as well as turn signals.
• Check the tire pressure.
• Check the car battery.
• Windshield wiper replacements.
• Replace or replenish the fluids, including transmission, break, coolant and windshield wiper fluid.

Although school semesters can get busy with classes, homework, jobs, and social events, remember to keep an eye on all of these things so that your vehicle stays road-ready. It takes less time and money for routine maintenance tasks than it would for a major repair because the oil wasn’t changed. 

2 – Complete Any Necessary Repairs

Some repairs are necessary for maintaining the safety of your vehicle. While accidents can happen, you may be able to avoid some dangerous situations by taking care of any needed repairs over the summer or winter break, before you head back to school. Repairs could include:

• Dent repair
• Windshield and window repair
• Paint touch-ups for scratches or rust
• Bumper repair
• Other damage

3 – Give Your Car a Good Cleaning

Who wants to worry about cleaning their car in the middle of a hectic semester? Cleaning may seem unnecessary, but in some cases can actually improve the safety of the vehicle, like cleaning the glass. Start each semester with a clean car and save yourself time by doing the following:

• Clean the glass inside the car to reduce glares.
• Clean out any trash and wipe down the steering wheel and center console.
• Vacuum the seats and floors.
• Have a bad odor in your car? Follow these tips for removing it.
• Take your car through the car wash and get the undercarriage washed, particularly if you live in a cold climate with snow, to reduce the risk of rust.

4 – Take Preventative Measures

If something does happen while you’re away at school, it helps to be prepared. A few easy steps can help with this:

• Get a AAA Membership or make sure you have tow services through your auto insurance provider. Make sure you have this information saved in a note on your phone, or that you have your provider’s mobile app downloaded. By doing this, you know that you’ll have roadside assistance wherever you are should something happen.
• Update your insurance card if needed. Make sure it has the most up-to-date information and is stored in the glove compartment
• Keep your car battery charged, and make sure the battery is holding a charge well.
• Stock an emergency kit. This should include items like bottled water, shelf-stable food items, gloves and a warm blanket, flashlights, jumper cables, tire repair kit, basic tool kit, and even some cash. Think about the climate you’re in and what items you might need if you’re stranded for several hours.

Find an Auto Body or Auto Glass Shop Near You

Despite all of the above preparations, sometimes your car will still need work while you’re at school. You may not know the most reputable auto body or auto glass shop near your school, but Carwise.com can help you find a reputable auto body shop that fits your needs, even while you’re far from home. The Carwise shop search tool has details on more than 20,000 shops nationwide, from shop hours and location to real reviews from recent customers, before and after photos, shop certifications, and online appointment scheduling. Search more than 20,000 shops on Carwise.com to find your perfect fit: https://www.carwise.com/auto-body-shops/.

You’re cruising across town one warm, sunny day with your window down, and as you approach a red light you bring your car to a stop.  Suddenly, your ears hear some unusual rattling noises coming from somewhere underneath the vehicle.  You immediately turn off the radio, but the strange racket is still there.  A pit forms in your stomach as you imagine what could possibly be wrong with your car.  Is it my engine?  My brakes?  Exhaust?  Knowing the warning sounds of a potentially costly, or even dangerous, vehicle problem is important, and could help save you much trouble later.  To assist your efforts, here are 5 strange noises that could indicate something’s wrong with your car.

Knocking or Pinging

As your engine runs, fuel is ignited inside each cylinder.  A metallic knocking or pinging sound is probably due to an ignition malfunction caused by one or more of the following:

• Clogged or defective fuel injector
• Clogged or bad fuel filter
• Misfiring spark plugs
• Worn spark plug wires
• Cracked distributor cap

When you hear a knocking or pinging noise originating from under your hood, it’s best to take it in promptly to a mechanic for a check-up.

“Popping”

There are several engine components that can start making a “popping” sound when something’s gone bad, including:

• Dirty air filter
• Spark plugs that are worn or corroded
• Defective spark plug wires
• Clogged fuel filter
• Internal ignition wiring or related ignition issue

A popping sound when your car’s running is simply not good.  Take it to an auto repair shop and have them give it a “once-over”.

Ticking or Clicking

Ticking noises are best left to clocks, and a clicking sound is great when you’re fastening your seatbelt.  But when your car’s making these sounds while running, something’s usually wrong.

Ticking or clicking sounds can mean:

• Low engine oil
• Worn fuel injectors
• Worn out struts
• Bad pushrods

In this situation try a DIY fix of adding some oil to your engine first.  If the clicking or ticking persists, take it into a shop and let a pro inspect your ride.

Grinding or Rubbing

More-often-than-not, when you hear grinding and rubbing, especially when you’re stopping your vehicle, it’s related to your brakes.  Those sounds usually indicate your brakes pads are completely worn down, and that the metal calipers and rotors are rubbing together every time you apply the brakes.  Besides the obnoxious metallic rubbing sound, other signs of excessive brake wear include:

• Takes progressively longer to stop your car
• Brake pedal goes almost down to the floor when braking
• When you brake the pedal and/or steering wheel vibrate or pulsate

Brakes that are making grinding or rubbing noises are nothing to ignore.  Take your vehicle immediately to an automotive technician and have them inspected.

Rattling Beneath Your Car

This is usually a symptom of a worn exhaust system, as they tend to rust out over time.  Does your car’s engine also sound louder or “throaty” when you accelerate?  If your exhaust system has sprung a leak, the exhaust fumes can filter up into the passenger compartment, and that’s not safe.  Parts found within your exhaust system that may need to be replaced include:

• Catalytic converter
• A section of crossover or tailpipe
• Muffler
• Brackets and/or gaskets
• Manifold

Once your exhaust starts to rattle and gets progressively louder, you run the risk of part of it falling off while driving.  So, if you suspect that your exhaust system needs some repairs, take it promptly to a shop that specializes in those repairs.

We’ll Handle Any Accident-Related Noises

When your vehicle starts making the strange sounds listed above, take it to a mechanic and have it inspected.  If you’re involved in an accident, bring it instead to a reliable auto body shop to have those damages repaired by technicians who specialize in accident-related noises.  Pros at a collision repair shop nearby have the training, experience and equipment to restore your vehicle and peace-of-mind, and then get you back on the road promptly and safely.  Most shops warranty their repairs, so if you hear an unusual noise after the work is done, simply bring it back in and they’ll get it resolved.  Most body shops also work directly with insurance companies so you don’t have to.  To search your zip code now for a better auto body shop in your area, visit: www.carwise.com.