Back-to-school car checklist: get the family car ready

Once school starts, your car gets used on a tight schedule: early drop-offs, stop-and-go lines, after-school activities and a lot of short trips. Short trips are hard on a car, since the engine and battery rarely get to warm up fully. Summer vacations can also hide small issues you have been living with. This checklist covers what matters most.

Start with the brakes

Brakes get a heavy workout in school zones and pickup lines. Listen and feel for these signs:

• A high-pitched squeal when you slow down, which often comes from the wear indicators on brake pads
• A grinding sound, which means the pads may be worn through to the metal
• A soft or spongy pedal, or a pedal that sinks closer to the floor than usual
• The car pulling to one side during braking
• Vibration through the steering wheel or pedal when stopping from highway speed

If you notice any of these, have the brakes inspected soon. Pads are far less expensive to replace before they damage the rotors.

Tires: pressure, tread and spare

Check the pressure in all four tires, plus the spare, when they are cold, using the figure on the driver's door sticker. Look at the tread depth and check for cracks or bulges on the sidewalls. Heavily loaded backpacks, sports gear and extra passengers add weight, and correct pressure matters more with a full car. Rotate your tires if the mileage is due.

Battery and charging

A battery that struggled in summer heat may fail without warning on the first cool morning. Signs of trouble include slow engine cranking, dim headlights at idle, a dashboard battery light and corrosion around the terminals. Most batteries last about three to five years, so if yours is older than that, a quick test is worthwhile. Testing is fast and typically takes only a few minutes.

Tip: Keep a small flashlight, a phone charger and a set of jumper cables in the trunk. They cost little and tend to be needed at the worst moment.

Wipers, lights and visibility

Early mornings and shorter afternoons mean you will use your headlights and wipers more soon.

• Replace wiper blades that streak, chatter or leave unwiped patches. Most last six months to a year.
• Top off the washer fluid.
• Have someone stand outside the car while you test headlights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights.
• Clean the inside and outside of the windshield, since film on the glass causes glare.

Fluids and belts

Pop the hood and take a few minutes to look at the basics. Check the engine oil level and its color, along with coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid, if your car uses it. If the oil is dark and overdue for a change, schedule it. Look at the visible belts for cracks and fraying, and look under the car for fresh spots where it has been parked.

Air conditioning and heating

Even in late summer, a cabin that is comfortable keeps drivers focused and kids calmer. Make sure the A/C still cools well, and that the fan and defrost work, since foggy windows in the first cold snap are a safety problem.

Safety items inside the car

• Make sure every seat belt latches and retracts smoothly.
• Check that car seats and boosters are installed securely and fit your child's current size.
• Clear loose items from the cabin so they do not become projectiles in a sudden stop.
• Keep a basic kit with water, a first-aid kit, reflective triangles and a blanket.
• Take note of any warning lights, and do not ignore a flashing check engine light.

A simple schedule

1. This week: check tire pressure, lights, wipers and fluids.
2. Before the first full week of school: have brakes and battery looked at if anything seemed off.
3. Every month: repeat the tire pressure and walk-around check.
4. Every season: review your maintenance schedule in the owner's manual.

Final thought

None of this needs to be expensive. Most of it takes minutes, and the rest can be done at a regular service visit. Our maintenance page shows what a routine visit typically covers if you would like to compare.