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If you are sending a car to college or just getting it ready for the carpool, it is important to make sure your car is ready for the increased driving it is about to do. Students and parents have to prepare for back to school, but did you think about your car? Here are a few back to school tips to get your car ready for the year ahead. You can learn more at allstate.

Back-to-school time can be very busy for students and parents alike. One item not usually on the top of to-do lists is car care maintenance. Whether they’re attending high school or heading off to college, this can be an opportune time to conduct a maintenance review to help get your student’s car ready for the school season. Consider this car care checklist to help get your student—and their car—ready for a great school year.

Check the vitals under the hood. To help prevent maintenance issues or potentially costly repairs, mechanics suggest opening the hood of your vehicle and checking the following:

  • Fluid levels of engine oil, coolant and transmission, and brake and power steering fluid—your owner’s manual will illustrate where everything is located and the proper levels to maintain.
  • Battery
  • Date of the battery (located on top). Consumer Reports suggests that you have your battery checked if it’s more than two to three years old and your car’s entire charging system checked once a year.

Check the tires. Check the tires for uneven tread wear, nails or other potential hazards. Road &Travel magazine says one easy way to check tread depth is inserting a penny into a groove—if any part of Abe Lincoln’s head is obscured, you have enough tread. Check the pressure on each tire with a gauge when they’re cold (not driven).Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s suggested pressure, which is located on most vehicles on a sticker inside the driver’s door, center console, glove compartment lid or in the owner’s manual. Also, make sure the spare tire is inflated and a jack, lug wrench and jumper cables are in the trunk.

Check the lights. This is a good time to get your teen involved in the preventive maintenance checklist review. Have him or her get in the car and turn on the headlights, turn signals and emergency flashing lights as you walk around the vehicle to make sure they are working. Check the brake lights by having him or her press the brake pedal, too.

Find local resources for students going away. Maintenance issues still can occur despite your preventive maintenance efforts, so it’s wise to identify resources near campus. Find a trusted mechanic or local dealership that services your type of vehicle, as well as a tire store. If your driver is college-bound, the university itself can be helpful, too, so touch base with its parking services or safety department. They may have suggestions for local car services and can offer helpful services themselves. For example, the University of Louisville has a Motorist Assistance Program that offers 24/7 help on campus for things like a dead battery, flat tire or empty gas tank.

 

With 16 Convenient Locations - There is a Mr. Magic Car Wash Near You!

  • Banksville

    2752 Banksville Rd.
    Pittsburgh, PA 15216

  • Bethel Park

    2705 South Park Rd.
    Bethel Park, PA 15102
    Formerly Bethel Park Rapid Wash

  • Bethel Park

    5150 Library Rd.
    Bethel Park, PA 15102
    Formerly Buggy Bath Car Wash

  • Brentwood

    3800 Saw Mill Run Blvd.
    Pittsburgh, PA 15221

  • Bridgeville

    1185 Washington Pike
    Bridgeville, PA 15017

  • Butler

    1136 N Main St Ext
    Butler Twp PA 16001
    Formerly C&S Wonder Wash

  • Castle Shannon

    427 Mt. Lebanon Blvd.
    Pittsburgh, PA 15234

  • Cranberry Twp.

    20320 Route 19
    Cranberry, PA 16066
    Formerly Jerry’s Car Wash

  • East Liberty

    970 Washington Blvd
    Pittsburgh, PA 15206
    Formerly Clean Car Express

  • McCandless

    5503 Babcock Blvd.
    Pittsburgh, PA 15237
    Formerly Jerry’s Car Wash

  • Moon Township

    8650 University Blvd.
    Coraopolis, PA 15108
    Formerly Globe Car Wash

  • Pleasant Hills

    107 Clairton Blvd.
    Pittsburgh, PA 15236
    Formerly Mr. Speedy's Car Wash

  • Upper St. Clair

    1860 Painters Run Rd.
    Pittsburgh, PA 15241

  • Wexford

    11150 Perry Highway
    Wexford, PA 15090
    Formerly Jerry’s Car Wash

  • Morgantown, WV

    3 Chaplin Rd.
    Morgantown, WV 26501
    (833) 456-2747

    767 Chestnut Ridge Rd.
    Morgantown, WV 26505
    (833) 456-2747

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