Getting Your Kids Involved in Car Care

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When a kid turns 16, one of the biggest responsibilities they take on is getting a driver’s license. Not only do they need to be a skilled driver on the road but they also need to understand proper car care. As a parent, you may have practiced driving with them and prepared them for being a responsible driver, but have you prepared them for taking care of their car? This is just as important and can actually begin long before they turn 16.

Involve Them at a Young Age

Kids can become involved in taking care of a car from a very young age. You can start out when they are little by having them respect the interior of the car. Make them pick up their trash and not leave things in the car. If they spill or make a mess, have them help clean it up. This sets a good habit for them that they will likely carry on as they get older.

Talk about Proper Car Care

As your kid gets older, you can begin to talk with them more about properly caring for a car inside and out. Teach them some basics of car care. Have them help check that all the lights are working properly. Involve them in small repairs, like changing the windshield wipers. As you do these things, make sure you explain why they need done.

Get Them Involved in Cleaning

Kids also will enjoy being a part of cleaning the car. Make it a family experience. Have everyone work to get all the debris and road grime off the car. Again, make sure to explain why you are doing it. It isn’t just about making the car look good. It is about prolonging the life of the car and is an essential part of car care in Greenville.

Give Older Kids More Responsibility

As your kids get closer to driving age, you can begin to involve them even more. For example, teach them how to check the oil and talk about oil color. Teach them about why regular oil changes are important and why they need to check the oil. Go over some things that can be learned about the car by just checking the oil.

You may also teach them how to change a flat tire and make sure all the tools that are needed are in the car. Show them where these things are located. Make sure you talk about why tire pressure is important and why it should be monitored. Explain about tire wear and what it can tell you about the operation of your vehicle.

By getting your kids involved in car care from an early age, you are going to make them more responsible car owners. They won’t be likely to take their car for granted once they have one of their own. They will also be safer drivers who are aware of all the important things that need to be monitored and check on their vehicle. So, when your kid finally turns 16 and has that shiny new driver’s license, you can be confident that he or she is going to be ready for the responsibility of owning a car.