Teens and driving can create an adventurous mix, but you want to make sure your teenager is driving a vehicle that is road-ready. Teen drivers pose one of the largest safety risks on the road due their lack of driving experience. You can do your part to make sure they have a safer vehicle when they are behind the wheel by doing four things to their car before you hand over the keys.
There are two large reasons why you want to make sure your teen's car is properly lubricated and hydrated prior to letting them drive: teens may not recognize when a car is operating poorly due to fluid or oil loss, and keeping a car fully stocked on fluids helps the steering wheel, brakes, and engine run more safely. Power steering failures alone can cause an accident to occur when your inexperienced teenager loses control of their car.
Visit your
local mechanic to have them check and fill all fluids in your teen's vehicle, including oil, power steering and brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. Your mechanic can also do an inspection on the car to make sure the brake pads and other components are ready for regular driving.
A GPS system can be easily installed in your vehicle by your mechanic. There will be times when your teen driver will lose their way, and you don't want them turning to their smart phones for guidance. A GPS system can help your teen keep their eyes on the road while guiding them where they need to be.
A GPS tracker can also be installed in your car's charging port so you always know where your child is heading, how fast they are going, and if they are going outside the boundaries you have set for them. These trackers can usually be purchased with a monthly service fee, and allow you to have more control over your teen driver until they are responsible to drive without supervision.
All-season tires are beneficial to place on your teenager's vehicle. These tires are equipped with tread meant for all kinds of weather conditions, including snowy, slick, or wet roads. 2015 and newer vehicle models are typically equipped with these kinds of tires, so you may simply need to have them rotated if they do not have a lot of tread on them already. Make sure the car has a spare tire as well, and teach your teen how to safely change a tire in the event of an emergency.
In the event of a break-down on the road, you want to make sure your teen has an emergency kit that they keep in the trunk or backseat of their car. This kit should include a flashlight with spare batteries, a blanket, jumper cables, a flat tire sealant, and food items with an extended expiration date (such as granola or energy bars). You should also equip the car with a few gallons of water and a bag of kitty litter.
Before letting your teenager head out on the road on their own, talk to them about road safety. You will also want to set boundaries regarding how many friends they can have in the car to help reduce distracted driving.
At Dualtone Muffler Brake & Alignment, our goal is to get your car back to excellent running condition so you can safely navigate the roads. Whether you need a tune-up or a basic fluid check, our friendly technicians are ready to help you. With our swift and accurate service, we can get you back on the road again.
