Car Care Basics Every Parent Should Teach a New Driver

A young father in a flannel shirt smiles in the passenger seat as his teenage daughter smiles and drives the car.

Getting behind the wheel for the first time is a milestone for every teen, but driving is much more than just pressing the gas pedal and steering. Along with teaching their children how to operate a moving vehicle, parents must also show kids how to take care of their car. Below, we explain the car care basics every parent should teach a new driver, from fluid checks and tire maintenance to how to jump-start a dead battery.

Fluid Checks and Refills

Start by teaching your teen how to check and refill essential car fluids. Explain the importance of the car’s oil and show them how to use the dipstick to check oil levels, identify when it’s low, and top it up with the correct type of oil.

The radiator coolant and washer fluids are also crucial to safe driving and the vehicle’s health, so show your kids how to find and check these fluid basins. These simple but essential tasks will help ensure the car doesn’t overheat, and the driver maintains clear visibility.

Tire Maintenance

Tires play a crucial role in road safety and fuel efficiency. Explain to your teen the dangers of driving on underinflated tires and teach them how to use a tire pressure gauge to check the PSI of their vehicle’s tires. Next, show them how to use an air compressor—either a portable one or a public one at a gas or service station.

Also, show them how to check tire tread depth using a coin. Worn-out tires reduce traction and can compromise safety, especially on wet or icy roads—something Pennsylvania drivers know all too well during the winter.

How to Change a Tire

Changing a tire is a must-know skill for any new driver. Walk your teen through the process of safely jacking up the car, removing the wheel nuts, replacing the flat tire with the spare, and securing it properly.

Ensure that they have the correct tools for changing a tire in their vehicle at all times—explaining how to store them in the trunk safely. Practice together in your driveway to ensure they’re confident when they face a real situation.

Jump-Starting a Car

Another car care basic every parent should teach a new driver is how to jump-start a car. Pennsylvania winters can wipe out many batteries, and new drivers need to know what to do should they be stuck with a car and a dead battery.

Demonstrate how to use jumper cables safely and connect them to another vehicle without damaging the electrical system. Highlight important safety precautions, such as turning off both vehicles before connecting the cables and double-checking the connections to avoid sparking. Mastering this skill will help your teen feel more independent and less reliant on roadside assistance in the event of a dead battery.

Empowering Responsible and Safe Drivers

Teaching new drivers the basics of car care is a key step toward independence, building their confidence, reducing emergencies, and saving on repairs. As a parent in Pennsylvania, you can make car maintenance a collaborative learning experience, strengthening their skills while keeping them safe.

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