4 Tips To Get Your Chevrolet Back-to-School Ready

Now that summer vacation is ending, it’s time to organize for the new school year. One of the essential tasks to check off your to-do list is to get your vehicle back-to-school ready. Even if you regularly schedule your vehicle for maintenance service, you should double-check a few items before starting the new year and becoming super busy with school activities. To ensure that you inspect all the necessary components of your car, we’ve compiled a short checklist you can follow.

Examine and Change All Fluids

First, examine your vehicle’s fluids. To check the oil, park your car on level ground and wait until the engine is cold. Locate the dipstick, pull it out of the pipe, and wipe the dipstick with a rag. Reinsert the dipstick, pull it out again, and check the oil film at the tip to gauge the level and condition of the oil. Top up or change the oil if necessary. Some new vehicles come with electronic monitors for oil, which eliminates the need for this manual process. Also, if you have a newer vehicle, you won’t need to change the oil as regularly as with older cars. 

Other fluids that you need to check include:

• Coolant.
• Power-steering fluid.
• Transmission fluid.
• Windshield-wiper fluid.

Inspect the Tires

Your tires must be in good working condition if you want to remain safe on the road. Apart from safety concerns, under-inflated tires will result in you getting fewer miles per gallon. To ensure your tires stay properly inflated, keep a tire gauge in your car and check the tire pressure at least once a month. 

You also need to check the tread of your tires. To do so, insert a penny upside-down in a tread groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to invest in new tires.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Be ready for emergencies. Assemble an emergency kit and leave it in the trunk of your car. You can update materials in the kit once or twice a year or as needed. Add a document that outlines emergency contacts, your preferred auto body shop, and your insurance information. In addition, you can include the following items:

• A basic tool kit.
• A blanket.
• A first-aid kit.
• A flashlight.
• Flares
• Jumper cables.

Check the Lights on the Vehicle

You may be driving without realizing that one or more lights on your vehicle fail to illuminate. Apart from the fact that you’ll have impaired vision at night, your vehicle will also be less visible to other drivers if some of your lights are not working. To check your vehicle’s lights:

• Turn on the lights while the car is parked. 
• Walk around the vehicle to check the headlights and taillights, hazards, and blinkers. 
• Ask a friend or family member to help you inspect the brake lights.

Although it may seem like a burden to examine your car before you embark on a new school year, these simple tasks can save you money on costly repairs and keep you safe on the road.