Back to School Car Maintenance Checklist

Posted on August 3, 2017 in Maintenance

In the last minute hussle to buy pens, pencils, and dorm supplies, one thing is often forgotten: the car. For college students especially, back-to-school car maintenance is critical. With a few weeks left before school starts, now’s the perfect time to get your car checked out and get any necessary repairs. Here’s your back-to-school car maintenance checklist:

Repairs

First and foremost, take care of any needed repairs. If your car is making strange noises, smoking from the exhaust, or acting up in other ways, you should make an appointment with your mechanic. Putting off the repairs can be both dangerous and costly.

Tires

You don’t want to get a blowout while driving back to school, or around campus during the semester. Before hitting the road, you should inspect your tires or have a mechanic examine them to ensure optimal performance and safety. This article outlines a few things you should check if you’re unsure about your tires’ condition.

Brakes

Brakes naturally wear out as you use them. If it’s been awhile since you’ve had your brakes serviced, or you notice any braking issues, you should see your regular mechanic.

Oil and Fluids

Oil and other fluids need to be monitored and refilled regularly. Most mechanics recommend that you change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or so to avoid major engine troubles. If you have an older engine, live in an area with temperature extremes, or tend to drive at high speeds, you’ll need to have your oil changed more often. You can also talk to your mechanic about synthetic versus conventional oil to see which one is right for your vehicle.

Lights

Burned out lights not only create hazardous driving conditions, but can also get you a ticket. Make sure all your lights and signals work properly, and ask your mechanic if any look like they’ll need a replacement soon.

Inspections

If your inspection or emissions sticker will expire while you’re traveling or at school, you should replace it before you go. It doesn’t hurt to get one early, and it could save you from getting a ticket when yours expires. Here are a few things you should do before heading to the inspection facility.

Preventative Maintenance

Preventative maintenance can prolong the life of your car and help you avoid costly, reactive repairs. Setting up a preventative maintenance schedule before heading off to school allows you to make appointments in advance, working around your breaks, exams, and other important dates.

At V&F Auto

V&F Auto Inc. is proud to be the best local auto repair shop in Agawam, MA! Since 1988, our family owned and operated service center has been providing top quality auto repair services to Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, West Springfield and the surrounding Massachusetts communities.