How to Check a Car’s Fluid Levels

One of the most important things you can do at home for your car is keep an eye on fluid levels. Before they become drivers, teach your teens how to safely check various fluids under the hood of your car, including engine oil, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid. Make sure they know which caps are for which fluids, as well as the proper way to use the engine oil dipstick to monitor the oil’s condition and level.

Knowing how to keep up with regular maintenance is key to keeping a car healthy. The sooner your teen knows how to monitor a car’s health, the better they’ll be able to take care of a car once they’re drivers. Plus, there are times when they may have to top off fluids like engine oil on their own in a pinch to help prevent damage to the car.

How to Check the Condition of a Car’s Tires

When you’re on the road, it’s important to pay attention to your tires’ health. Teaching this to your teens can help keep them safe on the road, especially on longer road trips. Ensure they know how to check tire pressure, even without the help of modern tire pressure monitors that many cars have. They can also benefit from knowing how to use a penny to check tire tread. Overworn tires can sneak up on young drivers and cause big problems on the road but knowing how to stay proactive about tire health can help keep your kids safe on the road once they become drivers.

How to Safely Put on a Spare Tire

Most people have encountered a flat tire at some point since becoming a driver. Continuing to drive on a flat tire can cause extra damage, which is why cars come with a spare tire. To help prepare your teens for this situation, take some time to show them how to safely swap out a flat tire for the spare. While it may not come in handy very often, it’s still a good car skill to have in case it becomes necessary. You can also share with them alternative options, such as calling for roadside assistance or being towed to a car shop if they aren’t comfortable changing the tire on their own.