{"id":1387,"date":"2019-08-08T12:40:30","date_gmt":"2019-08-08T17:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/?p=1387"},"modified":"2019-08-08T12:40:30","modified_gmt":"2019-08-08T17:40:30","slug":"how-should-i-get-my-car-ready-for-college","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/08\/how-should-i-get-my-car-ready-for-college\/","title":{"rendered":"How Should I Get My Car Ready for College?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Another school year is right around the corner, which means millions of college students will soon be loading up their cars and heading off to campuses all across the country. As a student, before doing so it\u2019s important to make sure that your ride\u2019s \u201croad ready\u201d. If you\u2019re the parent or guardian of a college-bound student, they may need some maintenance advice to prepare their car for those long commutes and cold-weather starts. Either way, getting a car ready for college should go more smoothly than a P.E. midterm when using these tips from the pros.      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check\nUnder the Hood<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, pop the hood and check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fluid levels<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Using the owner\u2019s manual as a guide, check the fluid levels for the engine oil, coolant, transmission, brake and power steering systems. If low, top off the fluids only with products that are in accordance with the manufacturer\u2019s specifications.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For fluid leaks<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Look under the vehicle and on the engine for fluid leaks. If you see any, the color should help indicate its location and source. High-mileage cars tend to leak a little oil, so don\u2019t panic if that\u2019s the case. Instead, make sure you know how to check the oil level and add more when it\u2019s low. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your battery<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Test the battery with a voltmeter and replace it if it\u2019s old or defective. Then, clean any corrosion off the battery terminals, check the wires and make sure all connections are tight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

belts and hoses<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Inspect the engine\u2019s hoses and drive belt for excessive wear-and-tear, and have any worn-out parts replaced.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tires\nand Brakes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inspect the tread depth of all your tires\nand look for uneven tread wear or nails. Make sure the spare tire is aired up\nand that there are tire tools and a jack in the trunk. Check each tire\u2019s\npressure with a gauge to ensure they\u2019re inflated based on the manufacturer\u2019s\nrecommendations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drive the car around, apply the brakes\nand listen for any strange sounds. Does the vehicle brake smoothly and in a straight\nline without any play or grab in the brake pedal? If you detect any problems\nwith the brakes, promptly get them inspected by a mechanic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lights<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a two-person job, as one of you needs\nto sit in the passenger seat and switch on the headlights, turn signals and\nemergency flashers while the other person walks around the vehicle to see if they\u2019re\nworking. Test the high and low-beam headlights, and then the brake lights by\nhaving one of you push on the brake pedal while the other stands behind the\ncar. If found, replace any burnt-out bulbs with new ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Car\nCare Tips  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve completed the other steps, here are a few more maintenance items to check off your list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Windshield wipers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Test the wipers to make sure they work without streaking the windshield. If the old blades are worn, get some high-quality, all-season replacements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emergency kit<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

All college-bound drivers need to carry an emergency kit with roadside flares, a flashlight and batteries, jumper cables, kitty litter (for traction), bottled water and non-perishable snacks.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detail it inside and out<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Not only will this make your ride look great, but it will also protect the finish and upholstery from things like road salt, food spills, the sun\u2019s UV rays, and moisture. If you don\u2019t want to detail it yourself, most auto body shops will for a fee.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find car services near your school<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Some universities offer free roadside assistance to students with vehicle problems that occur on or near campus. But you will still need the contact information for reliable auto repair shops in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find Reliable\nCollision Repairs for College Students Here <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even well-maintained vehicles can be\ninvolved in traffic accidents. When one damages your ride, bring it to an auto\nbody or glass repair shop featured in the nationwide Carwise referral network. All\nshops listed on Carwise are I-CAR and ASE-certified, which means they have the highly\ntrained technicians, equipment and services needed to repair your vehicle like\nnew again promptly and reliably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Search your zip code now for a customer-reviewed auto body or glass repair shop nearby: www.carwise.com<\/a>.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1388,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-car-care-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Should I Get My Car Ready for College? - Auto Body Shop Blog - Carwise.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/08\/how-should-i-get-my-car-ready-for-college\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Should I Get My Car Ready for College? - Auto Body Shop Blog - Carwise.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Another school year is right around the corner, which means millions of college students will soon be loading up their cars and heading off to campuses all across the country. 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