With college move-in day around the corner, many students are packing all the clothes, personal items and dorm supplies they need. But what about a car? AAA Northeast is reminding parents that a vehicle safety check should also be top-of-mind if their college student is bringing a car to campus.
“While college is an exciting time for many students, being away from home, making new friends and studying for exams may also bring stress. Ensuring their cars are in tip-top shape should give students one less thing to worry about,” said Alec Slatky, managing director of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast. “Before students bring their cars to campus, it’s critical to perform routine maintenance. Parents should also teach their teens basic automotive knowledge, so they’ll know what to do in an emergency.”
AAA offers the following tips to parents and students ahead of college move-in day:
- If permitted to have a car on campus, get a full vehicle inspection before heading to school. This should include a check of the brakes, tires, vital fluids, lights, battery, cooling system, belts and hoses.
- Know how to check tire pressure, oil levels and other easy-to-check fluids like coolant and windshield washer fluid.
- Learn how to change a flat tire if the car has a spare. If not, check the tire inflator kit. Some have expiration dates on the sealant.
- Pack an emergency kit for the car complete with jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, flashlight with extra batteries and a first aid kit.
- Check the expiration dates on your auto insurance, registration and driver’s license for expiration.
- Consider a prepaid gas card, which can only be used for gas, rather than a prepaid debit card.
- Check aaa.com/autorepair for AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities near your college or university.
To ensure safe driving once the vehicle is ready to go, AAA offers students the following advice:
- Buckle up, ditch the distractions, obey the speed limit and make sure you’re well-rested before getting behind the wheel. Remember that talking or interacting with passengers can be just as distracting as cellphone use.
- It’s illegal for people under age 21 to consume alcohol, and it’s illegal to drive impaired. If you’ve consumed alcohol or drugs, hand your keys to a sober friend or use a rideshare service to get back to campus safely.
- To prevent vehicle theft, park in well-lit areas, lock your car, remove any valuables and never leave your car running unattended. Consider installing a GPS tracking device.
- If you’re involved in a crash, call police immediately, document any damage with photos for your insurance company and exchange information with the other driver(s) involved.
If your student does not bring a car to campus and is attending a college or university 100 miles or more away from home, they may qualify for a student away at school discount on your auto insurance policy, according to AAA Insurance. Depending on their grades, they may also qualify for a good student discount.
A parent’s homeowners policy should extend property coverage to a student living in dorms, typically limited to 10% of contents. Students living in off-campus apartments can apply for renters insurance.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing nearly 6.8 million local
AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.