When the smell of new notebooks and crayons fills the muggy, late-summer Indiana air, you know it’s back-to-school season.
Along with getting your children supplied with everything they need for the upcoming year, don’t forget about your vehicle. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a full schedule of drop-offs and pick-ups to and from school and practice with a car that can’t get you there.
With all the time your family will spend in your car, truck, or SUV, being certain that your vehicle is safe and reliable offers huge peace of mind. Beck’s Auto Center, your friendly auto repair shop in Lafayette, IN, is happy to lend you some basic car maintenance info!
Low Cost, High Value
Not every piece of auto maintenance needs done at a shop. You can save a lot of time, money, and hassle by taking the time to learn the basics of auto care. There are a few items that you can check yourself to make sure that you’re ready to get back at it:
- Check your wiper blades
- Check your tire pressure, including your spare
- Check your battery terminals for corrosion (and your voltage if you have a voltmeter)
- Check your tires for uneven wear or damage
- Check your oil
Keep Up With Regular Maintenance
The next step beyond looking your car over for any problem areas is to keep up with your regular maintenance regime. There are basics that need doing regardless of what else you do, like your periodic oil changes, changing out wipers and tires as they wear out, and making sure your battery is in good shape to get your car started each morning.
But don’t forget about your factory scheduled maintenance as well. Many people underestimate the benefit of factory scheduled maintenance, but what they don’t realize is that a lot of the problems a car will have as it ages can be prevented by keeping up with the manufacturer-recommended schedule.
Schedule a Check Up
Back-to-school medical check ups are required by some schools and most sports teams, so while you’re making your appointments with your doctor, consider scheduling a check up for your car.
Getting a more complete vehicle check up is recommended whenever you take your car in for maintenance. These complete inspections will catch problems early and help avoid more expensive repairs later—as well as the inconvenience of having your vehicle acting up at the most inopportune times. These complete checks will include:
- Inspect belts, hoses, air filter, cooling system, lamps and battery
- Assess your tire wear
- Evaluate brakes and all your suspension components including shocks and struts
- Topping off your fluids
Don’t Forget Your Auto Shop in Lafayette, IN!
Going back to school can be an exciting time for all kids from preschool to college. Knowing that your vehicle is ready and reliable checks one more thing off your growing to-do list. Bring your vehicle in for service at Beck’s Auto Center, your auto repair shop in Lafayette, IN, and we’ll run it through our 17 or 27 Point Vehicle Check Up at no charge. Make An Appointment, or get in touch with us at (765) 447-9459 and we’ll make sure your vehicle gets you back to school safely!
