Back to School, Back to Routine: 5 Things to Check on Your Vehicle
The backpacks are packed, the school supplies are bought, and those first-day of-school pictures are officially on the camera roll. Now comes the part of the year when family schedules get busy again.
Between school drop-offs, practices, games, work commutes, weekend activities, and everything in between, your vehicle is about to get a lot more use. Before the school-year routine gets into full swing, take a few minutes to make sure your vehicle is ready for all those extra miles.
Here are five things every parent and driver should check:
1. Check Your Tires
Your tires are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. Check the tire pressure and make sure your tires have adequate tread.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire if your vehicle is equipped with one. A quick tire inspection now can help prevent an inconvenient problem later—especially when you’re already running late for school pickup.
2. Check Your Oil and Other Fluids
When was the last time you had your oil changed?
Busy schedules can make routine maintenance easy to overlook. Take a moment to check your oil and make sure your vehicle’s other important fluids are at the proper levels.
If you’re not sure when your next service is due, your owner’s manual or your service department can help you determine what your vehicle needs.
3. Pay Attention to Your Brakes
School-year driving often means more stop-and-go traffic, especially around schools and busy intersections.
If you’ve noticed squeaking, grinding, vibration, or that your vehicle doesn’t seem to stop the way it normally does, don’t ignore it. Have your brakes inspected by a qualified technician.
4. Make Sure Your Lights and Wipers Are Working
As summer turns into fall, daylight hours will begin getting shorter. Make sure your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and other exterior lights are working properly.
It’s also a good time to check your windshield wipers. Clear visibility is especially important when you’re driving children to school, activities, and appointments.
5. Take a Look Inside
With kids back in the car more often, this is a great time to clean out the vehicle and make sure everything is ready for the busy months ahead.
Check that car seats and booster seats are properly installed, remove anything that could become a distraction, and consider keeping a small emergency kit in your vehicle.
Your Family Is Busy Enough. Let Us Help With the Rest.
At Joe Bowman Chevrolet, we know that your vehicle is more than just transportation. It’s how you get your kids to school, make it to work, get to practice, visit family, run errands, and make all those everyday memories along the way.
Before the school-year schedule gets too hectic, let our team help make sure your vehicle is ready for the miles ahead.
Stop by Joe Bowman Chevrolet or contact our service team to schedule your next maintenance appointment.
Because around here, we’re not just helping you get from Point A to Point B— we’re helping keep the Valley moving.