Vehicle Maintenance: Back-to-School Car Prep You Should Do Early

As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Summer time fun is coming to an end, and that means it’s back to business, or rather, back to school if you’re a student. Whether you’re finishing up the last couple of years of high school, heading off to college, or a graduate university, you’ll need a ride. You’ll be busy packing, planning, and once school starts, you’ll be right back to studying, homework, and possibly even general work at a job. That doesn’t leave much free time or much time to care for the important things in your life, like your car.

Better to do it now while you have the opportunity. We’ve already looked over some major organization tips, so you can make the most out of your open vehicle space. Now, it’s time to consider the real work — service and maintenance tasks.

Some of this might be on the nose, or the bumper, you could say, but that doesn’t make it any less vital. If you haven’t already, take it to a local mechanic or enlist some help from Dad or your family to do the following:

1. Check All Fluids

Hopefully, you’re familiar with this already, but every vehicle has fluids that need to be refilled. Engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and they all have reservoirs. Just like your body should stay hydrated, your car’s fluids should be replenished regularly.

While each type of fluid serves a unique purpose, you want to make sure they’re all topped up before long road trips. If you’re headed off to college or school, you’ll want to top them up before you make your first drive.

2. Inspect the Brakes

Brakes, believe it or not, are part of a comprehensive system. The brake pads are critical, yes, but so are the wheel rotors, brake fluid levels, and standard controls. If you notice any unusual noises when you’re braking, or the pedal is tough to press down, you may have an issue somewhere.

You can do the brakes yourself. I change all mine. But it’s also advised to seek professional help if you have no experience. Test the pads, see if they need to be replaced, and at the same time review the rotors and other components. It’s also a good idea to bleed the brake fluid each time you change the brakes.

3. Test the Battery

If a car has been sitting for a while, normal battery drain can run it down. Open the hood and inspect the battery. Look at the terminals and check for corrosion or residue. Make sure all the components are securely fastened. If your battery looks old or like it’s breaking down, it might be time to swap it out.

You can use advanced car scanners and multimeter tools to measure voltages while the car is running and make sure the electronics are operating normally.

4. Scan for Error Codes

Sometimes, the check engine light will come on because of an error code that is flagged, and it doesn’t necessarily stop the vehicle. You could be driving around for miles without knowing something is up. OBD2 scanners plug into the designated port in your vehicle, read these diagnostic codes, and allow you to clear them, hopefully after you’ve fixed the problem.

But the main point here is that you should check out those codes and see if something is going on. Even if you end up taking the vehicle to a mechanic, you have some idea of what’s happening and don’t have to trust strangers to explain it all.

5. Examine the Tire Conditions

Tires can go bad even if the car is sitting. They can get flat spots or lose air, which is why you always want to examine the tires before a long trip. Check the tire pressure using a gauge, make sure the levels are good, and inspect the tread depth for wear and tear. If the tread is low, you might want to swap out the tires for new ones, especially in snowy or wet climates. New tires offer better traction and control, which also means they’re more reliable.

6. Check and Test the Lights

You need your headlights, taillights, and everything in between. Test those out before a long trip and replace any that have burned out. It’s safe to swap them out if they look weaker — not as bright — or look like they might be failing.

Don’t forget to check your interior lights, as well.

7. Run the Air Conditioning

There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a traffic jam inside a vehicle with no AC, on a hot day. Check the AC for a reliable airflow, to make sure it’s getting cold, and to make sure it has enough fuel.

Believe it or not, vehicle air conditioners use refrigerant, which you’ll need to have refilled by a licensed professional. A slow leak can drain the refrigerant, making the chiller less effective. Mechanics can easily spot and fix those kinds of leaks.

8. Replace Worn-Out Belts or Hoses

When the belts in a car are going bad, you’ll usually know. They make loud noises, weird tones or squeak. But that’s not always the case. Slipping belts can and do happen without making much of a fuss. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check the belts and hoses in your car.

It really doesn’t matter how old or new the vehicle is. These are components that can go bad because of weather, heat, and other elements — even normal wear and tear.

You’re looking for extra worn areas, cuts, cracks, stress marks, and so on. The belts are made of less durable materials than, say, steel or alloy, so most of the weak points will be visible.

9. Clean the Interior

Finally, you’ll want to clean out the interior if it’s not clean already. Throw trash away, organize some of the clutter, restock your supplies and tools, and make sure you have everything you need before an emergency. That includes a roadside emergency kit with flares, water, bandages, and other useful items.

Do It Sooner, Rather Than Later

While you’re at it, make it a habit to check these things in your vehicle. The more often you’re doing visual maintenance and just double-checking, the less likely you are to run into a problem on the road and in the middle of a drive. Nobody wants their car to break down on those early morning runs to Waffle House.

Back to Blog Academy