Summer is winding down, and millions of American parents will see
their kids off to college this fall. But beyond financial tips, what do
kids need to know about their cars so that they don't end up stranded on
a dark and lonely road?
The car repair experts at RepairPal
— a nationwide network of certified, pre-screened repair shops on a
mission to help you find a fair price for quality work — have a critical
checklist for your teens and young adults:
1. HELP THEM FIND A MECHANIC NEAR THE COLLEGE
You'll
need to find a trustworthy and safe local mechanic, but walking into
the first shop that you find on Google in a new city is like rolling the
dice. Teach them to do their homework by searching for a shop with
certified technicians who will make sure your 'baby' is in safe hands.
2. TEACH THEM THE 'MAGIC NUMBER'
Teach
them to research average repair prices before they have to visit any
shop for repairs and tell them to beware of any prices much higher or
lower than the average (which may signal low quality parts or potential
overbilling).
3. KEEP THEIR CAR FULLY STOCKED
Make sure your kid's car is fully equipped with the following safety materials:
An inflated spare tire
A tire iron
The car manual
A spare key
Materials for cold weather driving, like blankets, gloves, and tire chains (if necessary)
4. TEACH THEM ABOUT WARRANTIES
Because
a poorly-executed repair could put them back in the shop just weeks
later, they should always choose a shop that offers an excellent
warranty in case anything goes wrong. RepairPal independently certifies
auto repair shops nationwide for superior training, quality tools, fair
pricing and a minimum 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.
5. REMIND THEM OF THE GAS LAW
Their
gas gauge should never go below a quarter tank - it shortens the life
of the fuel pump and they'll be in for costly repairs down the road.
Teach them the importance of caring for their gas tank, particularly if
they're traveling in bad weather or on a long road trip. RepairPal is a
great option for students in that it also offers roadside assistance in
case they're ever in trouble.
As a free resource, RepairPal independently certifies auto repair shops
nationwide, provides data on the average cost of each repair, and offers
trusted customer reviews — eliminating the need for your student to
shop around.
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