Teaching Your New Driver Vehicle Orientation and Maintenance

Before starting to drive perform a quick safety check of the vehicle. Now is a good time to have a brief discussion about vehicle maintenance. Explain basic maintenance items such as when oil changes are due and proper tire inflation. Verify that all lights and turn signals are functioning properly and free of obstruction.

Safety Tips to Pass on to your Teen Driver:

• For emergency purposes, teach your teen to keep at least 1/4 tank of gas in their car at all times. You do not want them running out of gas in an unsafe area. Additionally, you will avoid the frustration of having to unexpectedly stop for gas when your teen has been driving your car.
• Hazard lights. Make sure your teen knows how to locate and turn on the hazard lights in each of your cars.
• Familiarize you teen with the location and operation of the vehicle controls. It is important that your teen is comfortable in the driver's seat. Today's newer cars are capable of adjusting the seat, mirrors, steering wheel, brake pedal and accelerator. Review proper operation of the heater, air conditioning, cruise control and wiper blades.
• Explain the dashboard gauges and their purpose. Taking the time to explain the gauges will help maintain the vehicle in proper working condition. Furthermore, it may save you a large repair bill. After all, the time for your teen to understand the temperature gauge is not after the car has overheated. A good habit to form is maintaining a mileage log. The log should detail the date, miles on the vehicle, the number of gallons of gas added and the miles per gallon obtained on the prior tank of gas. When the gas mileage decreases it is an early warning signal that the engine needs maintenance.
• It is strongly recommended that you have your teen change a tire before he/she obtains their license. With the prevalence of cell phones, many parents assume their teen can all them or AAA for assistance. Depending on the location and time of day, it may take 2-3 hours before assistance can arrive.
• Tire jacks can be very confusing and hard to deal with if you are new using them. Practice using tire jacks with your teen. Make sure you show he/she proper use and "placement of the jack." If used incorrectly, tire jacks could cause injury or even death. People die every year from car jacks being used improperly. And don't forget to show your teen how to chock the tires.
• it is very dangerous to change a tire on the highway. Call the state police to assure drivers move over and the safety of your teen.
• Maintain an emergency kit in the trunk, complete with: flares, a flashlight, and batteries. Practice using the flares also.