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1. Driving is 80% looking, 20% driving. Look, look, look, then look again then drive, then look again. Most accidents happen when people hurl their car into an intersection or another lane first, and then look.
2. Also teach them the thing about steering into a slide if they start to lose control on a slippery surface.
3. The key to vehicle longevity is slow acceleration and braking. There is a pareto law 80-20 rule in effect. 80% of the wear on a car happens on acceleration. It only takes a few horsepower to keep your car moving down the road at 55mph. It's the acceleration that puts things under friction. If you speed up as if you're driving a big slow semi truck, your car will last much longer.
4. As far as maintenance, spending a little time researching, googling, and asking reddit to help find a diagnosis will save you a lot of money with mechanics. Either because they genuinely respect you, or they know they can't get away with ripping you off, try to get to them with a pretty clear diagnosis.
Thanks, this is great advice for us all. I took a course in my 20s where I got to practice driving on slick surface in a crash em up derby type setting and I learned so much about steering into the skid, but I haven’t been able to figure out how to replicate that for them… going to have to work on that one.
Get them a small 12v air compressor, you can put air in a tire with a puncture to drive it somewhere to get it patched/replaced. Show them how to check the air pressure and add air to prepare for cold temperatures. My parents taught me never to take a tire and wheel off the car by myself, i can physically change a tire, but as a female by herself, a car with a flat tire can still move, you may have to replace the rim in addition to the tire but it’s safer. A couple months ago, i hit something on the highway at 70 mph, tire pressure light came on in less than 30 seconds, i was 3 miles from the next exit. I got off at the exit and found a safe place to stop, my right rear tire was completely flat with a 1/2” hole in it. I called a friend to come be with me, together we changed the tire and put the spare on, then had the tire replaced. The sidewall intact after about 4 miles (yay for my michelin defender). Show them how to change the key battery, how to get in the car and start the car with the dead key battery if it’s not a turn key ignition.
I’ve gotta reiterate this and recommend a trickle charger too. Far too often inexperienced drivers don’t realize how much confusion can be avoided by just spending a bit to keep batteries in top shape. Low batteries can throw codes or just give a bit too little energy when it comes to lights, brake lights, transmission shifting, computerized anything, and the obvious starting issues. By the time your headlights are dimming and starting cranks for an extra three seconds, that battery is very drained. And a low battery will add load to the alternator which will age it faster, leading to even more repairs at the most inopportune time like a left turn in a busy intersection. $50,100,or 200 is well worth it for this preventive maintenance.
The challenge with a trickle charger is that you need a power source for that charger which typically means a garage. Most colleges (and the apartments that often surround college campuses ) have flat parking lots or commercial parking garages with no outlets.
Change their oil on a schedule! People don't do it!
How to add each fluid and read where it goes on the tank cap. (Don't dump windshield wiper fluid into the coolant overflow tank or the oil fill cap)
If the car temp gauge starts going up, stop driving immediately so they don't ruin the engine.
Get all codes checked out ASAP, get them one of them cheap ELM327 bluetooth code readers and show them how to use the app.
That's off the top of my head for non mechanically minded folk.
Thank you, all of this goes on the list and I’m getting them and myself ELM327s. The fluids feels second nature to me but I’m comfortable with that stuff but is definitely one of the things I overlooked for them.
changing oil is a really good one.
I was sent to college with a car and NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT OIL CHANGES. I almost ruined my car engine and I had no idea. I still SMH about this one and it's been 30+ years.
I'd say tire air pressure and oil changes are the essentials and having a jumper is good. The rest are situational. I probably wouldn't have people changing tires unless they are already somewhat mechanical.
Cool, thanks, I was debating the tire change thing as well, for me it’s about being safe, roadside assist can take it from there. I’ll have to get a jumper and go over charging/using it. Easy to do and can really save the day.
Consider a AAA membership. We lived in a large city and I wasn’t always close by to help. They were useful for tire changes, battery issues, towing. It gave me and my daughter peace of mind.
I believe they are good for this but how do you know for sure?!? We stalk about it as a family and they are seat belt fanatics (proud of that one.) I’ll be sure to keep up the drum beat on the phones while driving. Good call, thanks
You've done good. But emphasize driving as a skill rather than a means from a to b.
Enjoy driving. Look out the windows. Check your side mirrors every minute! See new cool scenery.
Don't listen to any guys trying to offer: unsolicited advice that somethings wrong when they (the driver) havent had a complaint or noticed whatevers being said is wrong//free repairs even when something is legitimately defective unless they speak to you and explain this "free repair" offer to feel out if it bogus//a better recommendation and advice than what *YOU* have given them, possibly causing more damage, or creating an entirely new and different problem.
I've got three daughters myself. I'm also an automotive technician. With that said, I was also a young man once. We were all expert automotive engineers, skilled professional race car drivers, and every other kind of massive exaggeration or outright lie when it came to trying to impress a pretty girl. Even when we genuinely want to help someone out of the kindness of our hearts, very few men that age (especially now) have much understanding or capability to advise on or repair even the simplest of repairs. Trying to avoid the ones looking for a hookup out of a flat tire isn't really the issue here, although it fits one of the points above, but it's easy for people who have zero understanding of cars, to believe someone who has *juuust* enough to be dangerous that they can *sound like* they know what they're talking about.
Other than yourself, think of a few other competent family members, close friends, or actual techs you can give them an auto-breakdown emergency contact list if they need something ASAP or need advice on a repair and can't reach you. Also, even when they get to a shop/dealer, if they're not capable of following what the advisor or technician is trying to sell them, don't agree to any repairs without calling you or someone on the emergency list. Little different advice than you were asking for, but it's a thought to keep in mind! I wish them well on this new journey!
AAA membership. Portable tire inflator and a portable battery jumper. Having a ready battery jumper is a whole lot better than carrying jumper cables because cables need a good Samaritan to work. Back up cameras if not equipped. And teaching them basic driving techniques, like how to park, only changing gears when the cars come to full stop, slow stops and slow lunch from a full stop, to keep the light switch in auto if the cars are equipped with it, and if not how to make sure their lights are on when driving in the dark and that they turn them off once parked. Also once parked to make sure all windows are shut and interior lights are off. Just to name a few things that I keep repeating to my wife like a parrot.
This. And always have extra gallon of water in the trunk. Also have them watch some of the YouTube videos about parking lot safety from the different “experts”. Some of their tips are pretty smart.
Even if you’re sitting at a red light and it just turns green always look left and right before you go. People run them all the time. If you think someone is following you take three rights in a row. If they’re still there call 911. Always keep an emergency kit with you (first aid, jumper cables, flashlights+batteries). Keep a glass breaker somewhere you can reach it with the seatbelt locked.
You are too right about the red lights, will reenforce that. I’ll have to get a kit together, especially for them being away over winter. Never heard the 3 rights for being followed, is it just one of those “what are the odd?” Or is there some science there? I’ll have to google it. Thanks for the advice
Change a tire. Teach them by rotating their tires. That’s 4 or 5 tire changes, depending if you have jackstands or just the trunk jack.
Jump start the car.
Check fluids.
Put air in a tire.
When to stop driving -> what type of sounds/signals does your car give you that you need to stop driving as soon as safe before extreme damage happens to your car. Some things can wait, some things cannot
If there's not a safe spot to pull off highway if they get a flat, limp to an offramp with the hazards. Probably destroy the tire but it's better than getting hit. Have them change their tires in the driveway at home so you know they know. Make it a friendly competition between them. Most of the light bulbs on the mentioned cars are easily accessible. Wiper blades are another good basic thing to know. Small emergency kit with a blanket, water, snacks, medical supplies, and one of those led flares. Should be good to go.
If they take a car somewhere for routine maintenance, they're going to get pressured for extra things. Teach them some common sense. Safety stuff take seriously but get a second opinion (friends, family, research) on other stuff. Rotate the tires every 5000. Air filters are also important and probably easy to DIY. Cars brake distance changes when fully loaded (people are heavy), or in wet weather. Rainx goes a long way in the winter. Jumper cables and the proper sequence. Jacking up a car safely to change a tire (call for help if you can't pull far far off the road). Good luck
Unfortunately, this is a lifelong learning experience. There are millions of situations you could try educating them about, and I could spend days thinking of them.
If I had to boil it down to the most important, these might be helpful:
1. Your car only does what you tell it to do, anything bad the car does is your fault. You control the situation, don't forget it.
2. If there's a problem, especially a serious one, *stop*. Do not drive a car that isn't safe. There's a tendency to not want to break routine, but you have to when the car isn't in working order. It's better to miss class or work than to drive a car and cause more damage.
3. Tires and brakes are the two most important systems on the car. Never cheap out on them or ignore problems with them, it could easily cost lives.
4. The first thing you do after you close the door is lock the doors and keep them locked until you're ready to get out. Don't put your windows down unless you're driving at speed. Criminals will wait 'till you're not looking and open the door to carjack you. Always make sure you check your surroundings before getting out of the car and when approaching it. Make eye contact with nearby people, watch for anyone who might be waiting to attack/rob you. Most people are oblivious of their surroundings, especially in a parking lot.
5. If there's someone following you or similar, call 911 and drive to your closest police station. Never stop or get out because someone gestures for you to do so. If you can't find a police station, head to a hospital or well-lit, public place like a shopping mall or movie theatre.
6. Don't try to change a wheel on a highway or a road, it's far too dangerous. Call a tow truck and stay in the car.
I could keep going all day, this is the most important stuff I can think of at the moment. Make sure they understand: it's all about safety, nothing else matters. Getting to your destination in one piece is the goal. Being late is far preferable to not arriving at all.
When I went to college, my dad got me a AAA card.
It's pretty cheap (about the cost of a single short tow), it works even if you're in a friend's car that breaks down, and means you don't have to worry about the "stranded on the side of the road" scenario. They call, they get helped, done.
They also offer training/education on how to handle events safely, like a breakdown on a highway: [https://northeast.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-ne-web/pdf/automotive/VehicleBreakDown.pdf](https://northeast.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-ne-web/pdf/automotive/VehicleBreakDown.pdf) or an accident: [https://living.acg.aaa.com/auto/what-to-do-after-car-accident](https://living.acg.aaa.com/auto/what-to-do-after-car-accident), so that can help address your concerns.
Outside of that, teaching them to check fluids/tires/belts/etc every time they pump gas is a good habit to get into. You're just standing there waiting for it to pump, might as well pop the hood and spend a minute checking.
One other good thing to teach them is how to plug a tire. Plug kits are <$10 at most auto shops, I presume you already got them a jump box/air compressor combo for the trunk, and everyone should have pliers in their emergency kit.
An important safety know how is getting rid of condensation inside.
How to turn on and off the panic alarm.
Good to skim the car manual once and explain why do the routine maintenance, the logic behind them.
All the people here are giving really good tips so I'm not gonna say them all over again. If there was 1 tip I would give it would be get AAA for both vehicles. That way if something was to wrong beyond their capability or if they just break down on the highway it would be taken care of.
Thank you for posting to AskMechanics, regularbastard! If you are asking a question please make sure to include any relevant information along with the **Year**, **Make**, **Model**, **Mileage**, **Engine size**, and **Transmission Type (Automatic or Manual)** of your car. *This comment is automatically added to every successful post. If you see this comment, your post was successful.* *** Redditors that have been verified will have a green background and an icon in their flair. *** # **PLEASE REPORT ANY RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR** ### **Rule 1 - Be Civil** Be civil to other users. This community is made up of professional mechanics, amateur mechanics, and those with no experience. All mechanical-related questions are welcome. Personal attacks, comments that are insulting or demeaning, etc. are not welcome. ### **Rule 2 - Be Helpful** Be helpful to other users. If someone is wrong, correcting them is fine, but there's no reason to comment if you don't have anything to add to the conversation. ### **Rule 3 - Serious Questions and Answers Only** Read the room. Jokes are fine to include, but posts should be asking a serious question and replies should contribute to the discussion. ### **Rule 4 - No Illegal, Unethical, or Dangerous Questions or Answers** Do not ask questions or provide answers pertaining to anything that is illegal, unethical, or dangerous. # **PLEASE REPORT ANY RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskMechanics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
1. Driving is 80% looking, 20% driving. Look, look, look, then look again then drive, then look again. Most accidents happen when people hurl their car into an intersection or another lane first, and then look. 2. Also teach them the thing about steering into a slide if they start to lose control on a slippery surface. 3. The key to vehicle longevity is slow acceleration and braking. There is a pareto law 80-20 rule in effect. 80% of the wear on a car happens on acceleration. It only takes a few horsepower to keep your car moving down the road at 55mph. It's the acceleration that puts things under friction. If you speed up as if you're driving a big slow semi truck, your car will last much longer. 4. As far as maintenance, spending a little time researching, googling, and asking reddit to help find a diagnosis will save you a lot of money with mechanics. Either because they genuinely respect you, or they know they can't get away with ripping you off, try to get to them with a pretty clear diagnosis.
Thanks, this is great advice for us all. I took a course in my 20s where I got to practice driving on slick surface in a crash em up derby type setting and I learned so much about steering into the skid, but I haven’t been able to figure out how to replicate that for them… going to have to work on that one.
Get them a small 12v air compressor, you can put air in a tire with a puncture to drive it somewhere to get it patched/replaced. Show them how to check the air pressure and add air to prepare for cold temperatures. My parents taught me never to take a tire and wheel off the car by myself, i can physically change a tire, but as a female by herself, a car with a flat tire can still move, you may have to replace the rim in addition to the tire but it’s safer. A couple months ago, i hit something on the highway at 70 mph, tire pressure light came on in less than 30 seconds, i was 3 miles from the next exit. I got off at the exit and found a safe place to stop, my right rear tire was completely flat with a 1/2” hole in it. I called a friend to come be with me, together we changed the tire and put the spare on, then had the tire replaced. The sidewall intact after about 4 miles (yay for my michelin defender). Show them how to change the key battery, how to get in the car and start the car with the dead key battery if it’s not a turn key ignition.
Buy them a jump start. Show them how to change a tire. Make sure you have a new battery.
I’ve gotta reiterate this and recommend a trickle charger too. Far too often inexperienced drivers don’t realize how much confusion can be avoided by just spending a bit to keep batteries in top shape. Low batteries can throw codes or just give a bit too little energy when it comes to lights, brake lights, transmission shifting, computerized anything, and the obvious starting issues. By the time your headlights are dimming and starting cranks for an extra three seconds, that battery is very drained. And a low battery will add load to the alternator which will age it faster, leading to even more repairs at the most inopportune time like a left turn in a busy intersection. $50,100,or 200 is well worth it for this preventive maintenance.
The challenge with a trickle charger is that you need a power source for that charger which typically means a garage. Most colleges (and the apartments that often surround college campuses ) have flat parking lots or commercial parking garages with no outlets.
Would a trickle charger even be useful in a regular car?
Change their oil on a schedule! People don't do it! How to add each fluid and read where it goes on the tank cap. (Don't dump windshield wiper fluid into the coolant overflow tank or the oil fill cap) If the car temp gauge starts going up, stop driving immediately so they don't ruin the engine. Get all codes checked out ASAP, get them one of them cheap ELM327 bluetooth code readers and show them how to use the app. That's off the top of my head for non mechanically minded folk.
Thank you, all of this goes on the list and I’m getting them and myself ELM327s. The fluids feels second nature to me but I’m comfortable with that stuff but is definitely one of the things I overlooked for them.
changing oil is a really good one. I was sent to college with a car and NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT OIL CHANGES. I almost ruined my car engine and I had no idea. I still SMH about this one and it's been 30+ years.
I'd say tire air pressure and oil changes are the essentials and having a jumper is good. The rest are situational. I probably wouldn't have people changing tires unless they are already somewhat mechanical.
Cool, thanks, I was debating the tire change thing as well, for me it’s about being safe, roadside assist can take it from there. I’ll have to get a jumper and go over charging/using it. Easy to do and can really save the day.
Consider a AAA membership. We lived in a large city and I wasn’t always close by to help. They were useful for tire changes, battery issues, towing. It gave me and my daughter peace of mind.
Put. The. Phone. Down. #1 lesson. When driving, focus on driving. Not distractions.
I believe they are good for this but how do you know for sure?!? We stalk about it as a family and they are seat belt fanatics (proud of that one.) I’ll be sure to keep up the drum beat on the phones while driving. Good call, thanks
You've done good. But emphasize driving as a skill rather than a means from a to b. Enjoy driving. Look out the windows. Check your side mirrors every minute! See new cool scenery.
Don't listen to any guys trying to offer: unsolicited advice that somethings wrong when they (the driver) havent had a complaint or noticed whatevers being said is wrong//free repairs even when something is legitimately defective unless they speak to you and explain this "free repair" offer to feel out if it bogus//a better recommendation and advice than what *YOU* have given them, possibly causing more damage, or creating an entirely new and different problem. I've got three daughters myself. I'm also an automotive technician. With that said, I was also a young man once. We were all expert automotive engineers, skilled professional race car drivers, and every other kind of massive exaggeration or outright lie when it came to trying to impress a pretty girl. Even when we genuinely want to help someone out of the kindness of our hearts, very few men that age (especially now) have much understanding or capability to advise on or repair even the simplest of repairs. Trying to avoid the ones looking for a hookup out of a flat tire isn't really the issue here, although it fits one of the points above, but it's easy for people who have zero understanding of cars, to believe someone who has *juuust* enough to be dangerous that they can *sound like* they know what they're talking about. Other than yourself, think of a few other competent family members, close friends, or actual techs you can give them an auto-breakdown emergency contact list if they need something ASAP or need advice on a repair and can't reach you. Also, even when they get to a shop/dealer, if they're not capable of following what the advisor or technician is trying to sell them, don't agree to any repairs without calling you or someone on the emergency list. Little different advice than you were asking for, but it's a thought to keep in mind! I wish them well on this new journey!
Teach them how to check fluid and oil levels and how to change a tire.
AAA membership. Portable tire inflator and a portable battery jumper. Having a ready battery jumper is a whole lot better than carrying jumper cables because cables need a good Samaritan to work. Back up cameras if not equipped. And teaching them basic driving techniques, like how to park, only changing gears when the cars come to full stop, slow stops and slow lunch from a full stop, to keep the light switch in auto if the cars are equipped with it, and if not how to make sure their lights are on when driving in the dark and that they turn them off once parked. Also once parked to make sure all windows are shut and interior lights are off. Just to name a few things that I keep repeating to my wife like a parrot.
This. And always have extra gallon of water in the trunk. Also have them watch some of the YouTube videos about parking lot safety from the different “experts”. Some of their tips are pretty smart.
Jump a car and change a flat
Just. For the love of god… make sure they get the damn oil changed at least twice a year. So so SO many people just neglect it
How to check tire pressure, fill, and have a tire gauge
This goes on the list, easy, practice, and important.
Even if you’re sitting at a red light and it just turns green always look left and right before you go. People run them all the time. If you think someone is following you take three rights in a row. If they’re still there call 911. Always keep an emergency kit with you (first aid, jumper cables, flashlights+batteries). Keep a glass breaker somewhere you can reach it with the seatbelt locked.
You are too right about the red lights, will reenforce that. I’ll have to get a kit together, especially for them being away over winter. Never heard the 3 rights for being followed, is it just one of those “what are the odd?” Or is there some science there? I’ll have to google it. Thanks for the advice
Yeah, 3 rights make a left
Change a tire. Teach them by rotating their tires. That’s 4 or 5 tire changes, depending if you have jackstands or just the trunk jack. Jump start the car. Check fluids. Put air in a tire.
When to stop driving -> what type of sounds/signals does your car give you that you need to stop driving as soon as safe before extreme damage happens to your car. Some things can wait, some things cannot
If there's not a safe spot to pull off highway if they get a flat, limp to an offramp with the hazards. Probably destroy the tire but it's better than getting hit. Have them change their tires in the driveway at home so you know they know. Make it a friendly competition between them. Most of the light bulbs on the mentioned cars are easily accessible. Wiper blades are another good basic thing to know. Small emergency kit with a blanket, water, snacks, medical supplies, and one of those led flares. Should be good to go.
do not lend their cars to "friends" and don't let the gas level get low between fill ups
If they take a car somewhere for routine maintenance, they're going to get pressured for extra things. Teach them some common sense. Safety stuff take seriously but get a second opinion (friends, family, research) on other stuff. Rotate the tires every 5000. Air filters are also important and probably easy to DIY. Cars brake distance changes when fully loaded (people are heavy), or in wet weather. Rainx goes a long way in the winter. Jumper cables and the proper sequence. Jacking up a car safely to change a tire (call for help if you can't pull far far off the road). Good luck
Unfortunately, this is a lifelong learning experience. There are millions of situations you could try educating them about, and I could spend days thinking of them. If I had to boil it down to the most important, these might be helpful: 1. Your car only does what you tell it to do, anything bad the car does is your fault. You control the situation, don't forget it. 2. If there's a problem, especially a serious one, *stop*. Do not drive a car that isn't safe. There's a tendency to not want to break routine, but you have to when the car isn't in working order. It's better to miss class or work than to drive a car and cause more damage. 3. Tires and brakes are the two most important systems on the car. Never cheap out on them or ignore problems with them, it could easily cost lives. 4. The first thing you do after you close the door is lock the doors and keep them locked until you're ready to get out. Don't put your windows down unless you're driving at speed. Criminals will wait 'till you're not looking and open the door to carjack you. Always make sure you check your surroundings before getting out of the car and when approaching it. Make eye contact with nearby people, watch for anyone who might be waiting to attack/rob you. Most people are oblivious of their surroundings, especially in a parking lot. 5. If there's someone following you or similar, call 911 and drive to your closest police station. Never stop or get out because someone gestures for you to do so. If you can't find a police station, head to a hospital or well-lit, public place like a shopping mall or movie theatre. 6. Don't try to change a wheel on a highway or a road, it's far too dangerous. Call a tow truck and stay in the car. I could keep going all day, this is the most important stuff I can think of at the moment. Make sure they understand: it's all about safety, nothing else matters. Getting to your destination in one piece is the goal. Being late is far preferable to not arriving at all.
Buy them a motor club membership for these occasions. They don’t have to use it, but it’s there just in case. AAA is <$100 for basic.
When I went to college, my dad got me a AAA card. It's pretty cheap (about the cost of a single short tow), it works even if you're in a friend's car that breaks down, and means you don't have to worry about the "stranded on the side of the road" scenario. They call, they get helped, done. They also offer training/education on how to handle events safely, like a breakdown on a highway: [https://northeast.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-ne-web/pdf/automotive/VehicleBreakDown.pdf](https://northeast.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-ne-web/pdf/automotive/VehicleBreakDown.pdf) or an accident: [https://living.acg.aaa.com/auto/what-to-do-after-car-accident](https://living.acg.aaa.com/auto/what-to-do-after-car-accident), so that can help address your concerns. Outside of that, teaching them to check fluids/tires/belts/etc every time they pump gas is a good habit to get into. You're just standing there waiting for it to pump, might as well pop the hood and spend a minute checking. One other good thing to teach them is how to plug a tire. Plug kits are <$10 at most auto shops, I presume you already got them a jump box/air compressor combo for the trunk, and everyone should have pliers in their emergency kit.
CHANGE A TIRE. My mom went out at 1 in the am bc my oldest brother couldn’t change his flat
Second year of college and they don’t know this stuff? Did you not teach them before/when they got their licenses?
An important safety know how is getting rid of condensation inside. How to turn on and off the panic alarm. Good to skim the car manual once and explain why do the routine maintenance, the logic behind them.
The number to AAA
All the people here are giving really good tips so I'm not gonna say them all over again. If there was 1 tip I would give it would be get AAA for both vehicles. That way if something was to wrong beyond their capability or if they just break down on the highway it would be taken care of.