first-car Archives

Whether your ride is your pride or merely a way to get from point A to point B, you need to take care of it. The cost of unexpected repairs can put a severe dent in your budget — and college probably already takes enough of your cold, hard cash.

However, most universities don’t offer a course called Basic Automotive Maintenance 101. Here are five things you need to know about taking care of your car in college.

Keep It Clean and Shiny

If you are a financially struggling college student, you probably aren’t rolling around in a Mercedes or an Aston Martin. However, that doesn’t mean that you want to let your vehicle get filthy or accumulate rust.

If you purchase an older vehicle with existing rust, you can prevent future oxidative damage by taking measures to remove it. Surface rust only affects the topmost panel layer, but penetrating rust could require you to replace an entire portion of your car’s body to fix. Sand away small patches and cover with rust-prevention paint before applying the final coat of wax.

While it won’t hurt your car’s resale value if you have empty pop cans littering the back seat, it does embarrass you when you pick up that cutie from Calculus 101 for your first date. Show off your cleanliness and eco-consciousness by investing in a sorting bin that separates trash and recycling while keeping your interior tidy.

Get Your Oil Changed

Once upon a time, a foolish college student neglected routine oil changes and ended up with a $2,000 engine repair bill. Older cars often have leaks, and filthy motor oil contains contaminants that can shorten your engine life.

Older vehicles often need changes as frequently as every 3,000 miles, although today’s models can often go 7,500 to 10,000. If your car remains under warranty, you should follow the manufacturer’s service schedule to avoid voiding it. However, if it is out of warranty, you will need to calculate the intervals.

Should you DIY or take it to the shop? It’s a matter of cost and convenience, but you’re better off taking your car in if it remains under warranty.

Learn to Identify Signs of Trouble

Professional service can help you fix small problems before they advance to the severe stage, but you need to recognize the signs of trouble. One apparent sign that something is amiss occurs when your check engine light appears. However, there are over 200 different service codes that this alert could potentially indicate — take your ride to a mechanic to be sure.

Other signs of trouble include sluggish acceleration, signifying clogged fuel injectors or smoky exhaust, which indicates a dirty air filter or worn engine parts. You might also hear thumps and noises or feel unusual vibrations. If you smell fuel oil, take your car to the shop without delay, as this sign can mean that you have a leak that could spark an explosion.

Maintain Your Inspection Schedule

Unless you live in one of the seven states that don’t mandate annual vehicle inspections, you need to keep up with this responsibility. Consider it a valuable opportunity to ensure your car is safe for travel.

Your inspection is like your annual checkup at the doctor. Your mechanic can identify and correct minor issues before they explode into expensive messes. The small labor fee you pay is a pittance compared to the peace of mind you get that your axle isn’t ready to snap during transit.

Supply Your Ride With the Basics

You should always carry basic first aid and safety supplies in your vehicle even when you don’t have a long road trip — like heading home at semester’s end — planned. Please include the following:

● A first aid kit: Yours should contain bandages in various sizes, including those large enough to use as slings or tourniquets. Ask your doctor about getting a 3-day travel supply of any prescriptions that aren’t perishable to keep inside, and stock things like hand sanitizer and masks. Yes, vaccines have arrived, but it’s always a wise idea to keep germs at bay.

● A car safety kit: You should have jumper cables, a spare tire and a jack and flares at a minimum. Road triangles and hand tools add extra security, as does a little DIY knowledge — learn how to change a tire.

● Food and water: If you breakdown, you need to stay hydrated. Food isn’t as essential, but it makes a more comfortable wait for Triple-A.

● Blankets: Breaking down on a cold day is miserable and potentially dangerous if you don’t have enough gas to run the heater or you can’t start the engine for safety reasons.

● Spare batteries and chargers: How will you call for help if your phone loses juice? A backup solar charger also helps if you have to turn off your engine.

Take Care of Your Car While in College With These Tips

Your vehicle is probably your most valuable asset at this life stage. Take care of your car while in college with the above tips.

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.

Buying your first car?

1.) Go with a friend or family member that has either done this before or can negotiate.

Chances are that if you’re purchasing your first car, you never had to known how it worked before now. You had a basic idea, you knew that the car was loaned to its owner and each monthly payment went toward that total price, but you never knew it was so complex. So, go with someone who knows, who’s done it before, and can help you navigate these perilous waters.

2) Shop around.

Don’t just go with the first car you see. Make sure it’ll be worth your while to get it. High mileage = high cost. That’s just the way that it is. Whether it’s the cost of the car itself or the cost of the eventual maintenance, you’re only setting yourself up for a headache if you settle for the first car you lay your eyes on.

3) Don’t just buy from a friend or family member – unless you’re sure that the car is mechanically sound.

Not to say that cars bought from friends/family members are bad, but they are usually high in mileage, which means that even though you got it pretty cheap, you’re going to have far more issues with it than the car is worth.

4) Be sure to go into the dealership with other options in mind.

This goes back to number 2, you always want to go to the dealership with other ideas in mind. You don’t have to mention these other prices to the salesperson, but it’s better to go in prepared. You need to cut a deal that works for you, after all.

5) Finally, don’t bite off more than you can chew.

If you need to get a used car to start, don’t be upset. Cars come and go, so it’s better to go with something truly in your price range than one that will put you in ridiculous debt.

With all this in mind, you can go in with the knowledge you need to get the car you want!

Tag: first-car

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