Preparing Your Teen for Back-to-School Driving

So, before they crank up the tunes and head to campus, make sure you and your teen are prepared with these important tips.

• Test Your Car Battery: Avoid tardies, and detention, by making sure your teen’s car battery is in good working condition. Schedule a battery test with your CAA Niagara Membership. A Technician comes to you –whether you are at home, school, or a friend’s house – to check your battery’s condition and replace it, if needed.

• Change Your Oil and Check the Fluids: Your car has six essential fluids that keep it running. Have the oil changed and fluids checked for the radiator, brakes, power steering, transmission, and windshield wipers.

• Check Your Brakes: The most important safety feature on your car is the brakes! Bad brakes can cause serious accidents. Have your brakes inspected by an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician at a AAA Certified Auto Repair shop. Visit www.aaa.com to find a location near you.

• Keep Your Tires Rolling: Before your teen hits the road, check the treads, making sure they are 1/16th of an inch and evenly worn. You also need to check the air in each tire with a pressure gauge. Most cars recommend 32 – 35 psi in the tires. Check the sticker inside your driver’s door to find the right psi for your car.

While your car insurance may offer roadside assistance, you and/or your teen may face higher premiums for filed claims. Make sure your teen is prepared for the unexpected, whether it’s a dead car battery, a flat tire, or they locked their keys in the car. Have peace of mind and a safeguard in place with a CAA Niagara Membership. Click here to learn about special pricing in your area for teen drivers.

If you need a battery quote for your vehicle, visit caaniagara.ca/mobile-battery-service or call 1-800-263-3616.

Here are a few additional safety tips for your teen driver to remember:

• Look out for pedestrians, especially near the school and in the parking lot.

• Brush up on school bus laws. Remember, it is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

• Share the road with bicyclists. When passing a bicyclist, proceed slowly in the same direction, and leave three (3) feet between your car and the cyclist. -

• Click here to read more tips from the National Safety Council.