10 Things Your kids Need to Know about their Car

Your teen will be driving without you soon, whether you’re ready for it or not. And teaching your kids about the car is just as much a matter of safety as stewardship. Learning how to take care of a car is one more big step towards independence and launching with confidence! It’s a necessary life skill! And since summertime is traditionally when many of us are heading out for adventure, it’s a great time for your kids to learn about the car and then plan a Road Trip! 

10 Things Your Teen Needs to Know about Their Car:

1. How to inspect and register a car. Every state will have different requirements, but all of them will require paperwork and licensures! Here’s a handy guide to get started. 
2. Know your car basics 
   1. Spare tire
   2. Jumper cables
   3. Manual
   4. Fuses
   5. Basic Fluids like oil, windshield fluid
3. Know where the oil gauge is, how to add oil. Bonus points for being able to change the oil. 
4. Tires. An often overlooked safety feature on cars is the tires. Teach your kids how to check the tie pressure, spot balding and what questions to ask when purchasing tires. 
5. How to use a set of Jumper Cables and where they are kept in the car. 
6. Emergency stops. How to handle a tire blow out or other mechanical failure
7. How to handle a fender bender or other collision
8. How to replace and check windshield wipers and fluid. How to repair a windshield crack before it gets out of hand. 
9. What to do if any dashboard lights come on
10. How to drive safely includes
    1. Wearing Seatbelts
    2. No texting
    3. Checking mirrors and using turn signals
    4. Keeping an eye out for motorcycles, bicyclists and pedestrians
    5. Driving defensively and with alertness
    6. Knowing where they are going and how to get there
    7. Use the 3-4 Second rule to keep a safe distance from other cars

PRO Tip: Teach your young driver to keep their car clean and fill the gas for the next person who will be using the car. 

Now that you Have the Basics Down, it’s Time to Head out on an Adventure! 

While your kids are learning how to drive, get them involved in your next road trip! If you kids know how to drive and can read a map, why not let them plan your next road trip! Give your teens a direction, time limit and a budget and let them come up with 

• A route to the location
• A list of places along the way
• Final destination & recommendations on where to stay upon arrival
• Gas stations along the way
• Restaurants or Rest Stops if you are picnicking
• Tourist stops.
•  A written budget for the Trip
• A packing list for the car and recommended packing items for family members.
• Car Maintenance items
• Have your teen check fluids and tires before you head out, including the spare tire!

The whole point of having a car is to go places, right? What better reward for learning to drive and understanding how to take care of the car, then heading out on an adventure together! After all, these teen years go by so fast, so creating memories together is so important!