#Full car maintenance checklist how to#
#Full car maintenance checklist free#

The average car battery lasts about four years-the same amount of time it often takes to get a college degree! 4. If the test reveals that the battery could call it quits any day now, invest in a new one for the health of the engine and your own peace of mind. If the battery is still going strong, safely clean the terminals of debris or corrosion to help keep it that way.

#Full car maintenance checklist free#

Get a free battery test to find out how much 'life' might be left in the battery or use our virtual car battery tester for a general sense of the battery’s life expectancy. There's nothing worse than a car that won't start, except perhaps a car that won't start on the morning of a major exam.

Making sure each of these fluids is in fresh, tip-top shape can help prepare your student's vehicle for whatever 'tests' they put it through, whether it’s an overnight drive to find the state’s best doughnuts or a frigid drive home over winter break. Some of these fluids are simple to check at home (like wiper fluid), while others require the expertise of a technician (like coolant). When they’re running low or completely used up, the car a) won't run, b) can incur engine damage, or c) can be downright tough to drive.Ī few of the most important fluids to pay attention to include: motor oil, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, air conditioning coolant, and windshield wiper fluid.

#Full car maintenance checklist how to#

Let our technicians check your essential fluids during an inspection, or consult your owner's manual to learn how to check some of them on your own. Check and change/refill essential fluids. The results of an inspection can also help you gauge when the car might need a repair or replacement over winter or spring break, and help you budget accordingly. From here, they'll offer recommendations for getting your vehicle back into safe shape and in line with manufacturer specifications. Technicians will examine everything from the exhaust system to the timing belt and battery hoses. Start with an inspection.Ī complete vehicle inspection at your local Firestone Complete Auto Care is one of the best places to start, since the results can give you insight into problems both big and small. Walk through this maintenance checklist with your college-bound kid to make sure their car will be there for them when they need it most-even when you can't be. If your child is taking a car to college, there are a few additional things to consider on top of their dorm room necessities and campus parking permit. Bean bag chair? Packed! A safe vehicle? Time to double check.