It seems as though there is never an end to the maintenance and repairs to vehicles. Each season brings its own concerns. Now, with the kids coming from and going to school, there is yet another round of car care. Plus, the car needs to be ready to go and in optimum condition for those family trips on the trails and roads to view the aspens, camp, fish, and hunt. What to do and when to do it are questions we hear frequently. “What does my car really need?” How those questions are answered depends on many factors.
A key factor is how the car has been maintained in the past. A well cared for car is likely to require fewer repairs. How is the car to be used? Will it only be driven around the corner to school or across the state to college? Will it be driven on the jeep trail or on the interstate? Do I plan on keeping this car for six months or six years? Is this my main or only means of transportation? What are my options if I do not want to repair the car? Can my budget afford this car? These are just a few considerations regarding car repairs. The answers to these questions and others can affect the course of repairs and maintenance.
First and foremost, if you have a teenage driver (or really anyone driving a vehicle), safety and reliability is paramount. Me sure things like brakes, steering, suspension and tires are in good shape. Ensure that the timing belt has been replaced as recommended? Is the tune-up current? How is the battery? The cooling/heating system should be checked annually for dependability and to avoid other problems. Do the tires have sufficient and proper tread for the type of driving you do?
Your local repair shop can help you address these questions and they will undoubtedly check other mechanics as well. Build a history of repair and maintenance records so that an appropriate course of action can be determined. Certainly, you want your teen’s car running in as best as possible and more importantly, safely. This can lead to carefree trips to our great outdoors and fewer worries as the kids head off to school.