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Before you know it, the days will be getting shorter, the leaves will be starting to turn and the college students are going to be headed back to campus again. You want to make sure they’ve got a safe, reliable vehicle when they start cracking the books again, so let’s go over a few auto repair bullet points:

• Belts and Hoses: Too often overlooked as an auto repair, the serpentine belt drives the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, AC compressor and other accessories on today’s cars. Examine the belt for cracks, fraying, chunks gone from the underside and other signs of wear or damage. Check the hoses as well, looking for bulges, cracks or leaks, and make sure all hose clamps are tight (don’t forget the transmission cooler lines). Various engine functions are controlled by vacuum, and there are numerous vacuum lines on the engine, some as small as a strand of spaghetti. Make sure your automotive tech checks them as well.
• Brakes: There’s not a more crucial auto repair item than brakes; make sure they’ve got plenty of friction material left on the pads, plenty of brake fluid, no leaks in the brake lines.
• Wipers: Even the best windshield wipers need to be replaced yearly. Get a good look and check for dry rot, cracking, chunking or strips of rubber peeling away. Good visibility is imperative for safety, so don’t neglect this simple auto repair!
• Fluids: Get a look at your last service records. Is it time for an oil change? Transmission fluid and filter/flush? How does the coolant look – bright green, or a little rusty and dirty?
• Battery: If your kiddo is headed off to a part of the country with harsh winters, the battery is especially important. Cold weather compromises a battery’s cranking power, and it’s made worse by the fact that motor oil thickens in cold weather, making it harder for the battery to crank the engine over. Check the battery’s purchase date, have an auto repair tech check its cranking power and make sure the battery cables, clamps and posts are free from corrosion. You might also want to spring for a good pair of jumper cables to keep in the car, if you haven’t done so already.
• Tires: To ensure proper wear, tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles or so; it’s easy to remember by just scheduling a rotation with every oil change. Do the tires have good tread all the way around, with no irregular wear? Good air pressure? Don’t forget the spare, too!
• Lights: Are all the lights working properly? Headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers? Halogen headlights are a great design, but time, the sun’s rays and the elements will make their plastic lenses yellowed and oxidized. Consider having the car’s headlight lenses restored!

Auto repair should be one less thing for you or your college student to worry about. Make an appointment with our techs at Van’s Tires & Service in Kent, OH before they head out again!