The annual migration to college campuses happens every fall. If your kids are going back to school with a car, there’s a high likelihood it’s a used vehicle. College kids getting a hand-me-down car or something picked up secondhand is a rite of passage. Of course, even though the days of “new car smell” are long gone, the vehicle needs to be reliable. Afterall, there’s enough to worry about as kids test their wings. You don’t want to worry about the vehicle they drive as well.
7 things to check on a car headed to college with your kids
Before the trek to campus begins, check these automotive essentials.
1) Tires: You don’t want sliding into a ditch or through an intersection to be when you learn the tread on your tires is worn too thin. Before taking off, an inspection of the tires is advisable. For safety reasons, worn tires are not something to gamble on.
2) Battery: If a battery is old, its ability to hold a charge declines. Check the battery with a multimeter. A good reading is around 12.6 volts when the engine is off. Of course, there are also the other signs like weak engine cranking and clicking sounds, You should also do a visual check to look for any swelling of the battery case and corrosion on terminal connections.
3) Alternator: The role of the alternator is to generate electrical power that the battery stores for running all of the electrical accessories in a vehicle. The battery and alternator work together as a team; and if one is underperforming, it impairs the performance of the other one. You can also test the strength of an alternator with a multimeter, but you do it with the engine running when testing an alternator. If you notice signs such as erratic performance of electronics such as the radio or unexplained fading and flickering of lights, it could be the sign of an alternator struggling.
4) Starter: A bad starter can also leave you stranded. The starter is an electrical component that delivers the initial force to start the engine by using a gear to engage the engine’s flywheel. A properly operating starter will quickly disengage once the engine is going. Signs of a bad car starter include difficulty starting, clicking sounds when starting and a starter that doesn’t quickly disengage.
5) Electrical components: The battery, alternator and starter are the heavy hitters of your vehicle’s electrical system, but there are other players, too. Because all of these components work in sync with one another, it’s important to keep them all in good working order. One bad component is like the weak link in the chain. Make sure your electronic solenoid and voltage regulator are also in prime condition.
6) Oil and filters: Start your college-bound car with a fresh oil fill and new fuel filter. Plus, while you’re at it, check the air filter. These are basic car maintenance tasks, but your new college student may not have them top of mind. It’s good to teach young drivers to stay on top of this basic maintenance. But to start the college journey off right, make sure this maintenance is taken care of before launching kids off to college.
7) Antifreeze/coolant: Making sure that antifreeze/coolant is fresh is another basic auto maintenance routine that can be overlooked, until it’s too late with bad consequences. So that your college student doesn’t face the unpleasant reality of either overheating or freezing up, make sure the coolant is fresh for the college experience.
Reliable transportation for college students
Sending kids off to college in a vehicle that has been well maintained will give you peace of mind. At the very least, it’s one less thing to worry about. Reliable transportation will make the college experience much better for students and more comforting for you.
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