It’s that time of year again when we switch from the swimming pool to the car pool. Now that school is back in session, are you sure that your vehicle is safe and ready to carry your most precious cargo? In this weeks “Ask the
Auto man” segment we look at what you can do to ensure your automobile is ready to make the daily car pool trip safely and soundly. (Sending a child to college? Check out our
car safety tips for your college student!)
Breaking down on the side of the road is never a good situation, but it can be infinitely worse if you have a car full of kids. While you can’t control everything that might make your car end up on the shoulder, you can do your best by keeping up with your vehicle’s preventative maintenance services. Getting regular car maintenance, such as oil changes and wheel alignments, will help your vehicle run better and keep different parts from wearing unevenly, causing major damage.
How can I be sure my vehicle is car pool ready?
The best thing to do is get a 40-point vehicle safety inspection. AAA approved auto repair shops offer this car inspection, so finding a AAA approved shop is your best bet. This thorough safety inspection will look at all of the maintenance issues, the fluids, belts, hoses, brakes, and the filters - all things that could cause an issue if they are worn down too far.
Do I have to do all of the maintenance services my mechanic suggests?
If you have a
good auto repair mechanic, they will be honest with you and tell you which maintenances services you need to take care of right away, and which ones you can wait on for now. (If you do choose to wait on a maintenance service, make sure to make a note of when your mechanic suggests you get it checked again so you don’t risk wearing the car part out too much and causing more damage!)
3 Categories of Maintenance Services
With the AAA 40-point safety inspection that we offer at West Escondido Automotive & Transmission, we thoroughly inspect the car and then break down the results into three categories: passenger safety, car safety, and maintenance.
1. Passenger Safety - These are repairs that are important to take care of for the safety of the passengers. Brakes and fluid leaks are two of the main passenger safety issues.
2. Car Safety - These are repairs that are important to take care of for the safety of the vehicle. Failing to take care of things such as belts and hoses can cause them to break or burst, further damaging your vehicle and leaving you stranded on the side of the road.
3. Vehicle Maintenance - These auto services may not leave you on the side of the road, but they could cause comfort or health issues later. Things such as cabin filters and air filters that keep dirt from getting into the air in the vehicle so passengers can breathe freely. Replacing worn out windshield wiper blades is another important car maintenance issue.
Even if you’ve already started car pooling yours and your neighbor’s kids to school, it’s not too late to stop by and get your vehicle inspected to ensure safety. Trust us, it’s time well worth it!
