Auto Care 101: Tips for Parents and Their Teen Drivers
17 August 1998
Four Million New Teen Drivers Hit The Road This Year, But Most Would Fail "Auto Care 101"
NAPA Announces Tips for Parents and Their Teen Drivers
ATLANTA, Aug. 17 -- Nearly four million teens are set to get
their driver's license this school year, causing parents and their excited
15- to 16-year-olds to gear up for some big changes.
Although most teens successfully pass a driver's education course, very
few would pass "Auto Care 101." Unless parents or friends educate new teen
drivers, most young motorists will not have the knowledge to detect car-
related problems when they arise. For example, a bulging or underinflated
tire can result in a blowout.
"It's important for parents to teach their teen drivers about basic car
maintenance because it is linked to driver safety," said National Automotive
Parts Association (NAPA) President Steve Handschuh. "Learning proper car
maintenance is an important right of passage to becoming a responsible adult."
In 1996, 14 percent (8,054) of all drivers involved in fatal crashes
(56,793) were young drivers 15- to 20-years-old, according to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And, 16 percent (1,914,000) of
all drivers involved in police-reported crashes (12,173,000) were young
drivers. The NHTSA reports the estimated economic cost of police-reported
crashes involving drivers between 15- and 20-years-old was $32.3 billion in
1996.
For young teens, the need to learn basic car maintenance has increased,
since many more parents today are passing along their aging family cars to
their teen drivers. Sixty percent of households in the U.S. have two or more
cars, and approximately one in five households have three cars.
NAPA established the "Honest Information about the Car Repair Industry"
campaign in 1996 to help drivers learn the essential basics for keeping their
cars safely on the road, and to build consumer trust in the automotive repair
industry.
NAPA urges parents to add the following "Auto Care 101 Checklist" to their
teens' homework schedule. Parents may also want to consult their local
library or bookstore for additional technical assistance.
"NAPA Auto Care 101 Checklist:"
Fluids:
Six key fluids are under the hood that should be checked regularly: oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, transmission fluid, and battery
fluid. Teens should know the proper mixture of antifreeze/water for the
engine and know how to look under the hood to make sure these fluid levels are
at the fill line. Yellow, green, light blue or bright orange fluid stains on
the garage floor may indicate that the engine has overheated or that the
antifreeze is leaking from either the radiator, a worn-out hose or the water
pump. Dark brown or black oily stains mean the oil is leaking. And, red
spots can indicate that either the transmission fluid or power-steering fluid
is leaking.
Tires:
Make sure all tires (including the spare) are properly inflated. Tires
that are smooth or "balding," or have exposed metal belts are dangerous and
should be replaced immediately. Tires will last longer if teens observe speed
limits and avoid "peeling out" or "burning rubber." Tires should be rotated
and the alignment checked by an ASE-certified technician about every 3,000 to
4,000 miles.
Belts & Hoses:
Check belts for proper tightness and wear. Shrieking belts are not
properly fitted and may need adjusting or replacing. Hoses should be free of
cracks or bulges to avoid unexpected problems and fluid leaks. If belts or
hoses are four years old or more have them replaced.
Lights & Horn:
Check to make sure the brake, parking, tail, reverse, hazard, turn and
head lights are functioning at the proper brightness. Change any weak bulbs.
Driving without proper lighting is unsafe. Also check the horn periodically
to make sure it will blow every time it's needed.
Wipers:
Wiper blades should fit properly and not shimmy across the glass. Keeping
the windshield clean is important for dawn and dusk driving when sunlight may
cause temporary blindness as it reflects through dirty glass.
Brakes:
Brake pedal should be firm when pressed. A "screech" may be the brake
wear indicator signal, which means it's time for brake service. Any excessive
grinding, squealing, or chatter should be investigated. Brakes should be
inspected every 20,000 miles.
Battery:
Make sure the battery has the proper charge and the terminals are free of
corrosion. Teens should know how to properly use jumper cables.
Safety Supplies:
Every family car should be equipped with a jack and teens should know how
to use it. Jumper cables, flares, and a flashlight should also be included in
the trunk.
Roadside Emergency Numbers:
Motorists are advised to keep emergency phone numbers in their vehicles,
just in the event of a breakdown or roadside emergency. AAA members can call
1-800-222-4357 for a tow. And to find the closest repair shop with ASE-
certified technicians and a national warranty program, motorists can call 1-
800-LET-NAPA. There are 8,700 independently owned NAPA AutoCare Centers
around the country that motorists can count on for honest car repair.
For the "Top 10 Tips on finding an honest repair shop," visit NAPA's
website at http://www.NAPAonline.com.
More than 70 years ago, NAPA was founded to meet America's growing need
for an effective auto parts distribution system. Since then, NAPA has been
the leader in the automotive aftermarket supply industry - an invaluable
partner in the flow of parts from manufacturers to NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, and
from those stores to service professionals and do-it-yourself customers.
There are more than 6,200 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and 8,700 NAPA AutoCare
Centers.