5 Tips to Prep Your Car for Back-to-School

BY Jeffrey August 16, 2021

Coming back to school fills us with excitement and anticipation. What classes are we going to take? Where are we going to live? How are we going to deck out our living space? Where are the best places to socialize? Many of these questions get answered throughout the year as we learn, grow, and develop as students. One question that we often overlook is “How am I going to get anywhere?” This might be one of the most important questions because without transportation, some of the others become a bit more difficult to answer.

While many students opt for public transportation, biking, or even walking to school, you may choose the old fashioned way and drive yourself to classes. If you have a vehicle you’re planning on using this next school year, consider these tips to optimize your traveling experience. 

Stock Up on Fluids

It’s the first day at school and you’ve probably (hopefully) taken your vehicle in for an oil change. Fluids are all topped off and, barring any major trips, your oil should be good for the duration of the semester. But, like so many other things at college, surprises do exist. Depending on where you’re attending, rain or even dust storms may be common. You might live in an area with heavy traffic and experience a lot of idling. Or your vehicle might simply just be super old.

Whatever your circumstances, chances are you’ll run out of some fluid at some point during the semester. Whether it’s your old beater burning through oil, or using an abundance of washer fluid to keep your windshield clear, try to keep some extra fluid on-hand for those never-convenient moments when you run out. You’ll be glad you did.

Replace Those Blades

Speaking of washer fluid, using it won’t do you much good if your wipers are trashed. This will almost definitely be an issue if you’re moving from a location where you rarely needed them to an area where you use them all the time. Check your wipers to see if there are any cracks in the rubber or if the rubber is peeling off the blade. You can also run a hose over your windshield to test how well your wipers hold up. 

Most sets of wipers are good for 6-12 months, meaning a new set can last you up to the entire school year. With their relatively low-cost/low-maintenance, snagging a new pair of wipers is usually a good thing to put on your Back-to-School vehicle checklist.

Check Your Tires

If something happens to your tires, your car isn’t going anywhere. This means you’re not making that 7am class. Get in the habit of periodically checking your tires as you enter or leave your vehicle. It’s a simple check, and only takes a minute. 

Look for any weird bulges, foreign objects, or torn rubber. Carrying a tire gauge in your glove compartment is an excellent way to always know what pressure your tires are at. Combine those two with being aware of how your car rides while driving can clue you in to how your tires are doing. For many tire issues, catching the problem early can help prevent costly changes down the road (ha). If you ever notice your tires going completely bald, however, it might be time to get a new set. 

Freshen Up (Your Vehicle)

It’s 11:30 at night and you’ve been stuck in a group project for 6 hours. You’re tired, frustrated, and most importantly: starving. You pull into Taco Bell and grab a Crunchwrap Supreme and Baja Blast for the ride home. Halfway through your meal you get a message from your stomach that maybe late-night tacos weren’t a good idea. You toss your half-eaten meal into the back and get home 20 minutes later, ready to crash. The next morning you hop into your car and realize that the leftover Taco Bell has turned into a horrendous Taco Smell. Frantic, you spray everything from Febreze, to Lysol, to Axe Body Spray. Unfortunately, nothing works and now you have to drive to school, soaking up every last waft of that disgusting smell.

If this sounds like a nightmare, let us tell you that it most definitely is. It also definitely happens way too often. Once you start using the passenger seat as a garbage can it’s hard to stop. Simple fix: Keep a grocery bag for garbage in the back and always have car air fresheners on-hand. Replace the bags and fresheners as needed and you’ll hopefully never run into that forgotten food stench during your college career.

Upgrade Your Car Audio

If you’re rolling into school with a new car, you can probably skip this section. If you’re still using a cassette adapter for all your music needs, you may want to stick around. In a year full of tests, projects, and study-filled nights, sometimes the only reprieve you’re granted outside of sleep is the 10-minute drive to school. Some of us like to fill this time with silence, audiobooks, or the mind-numbing thumpa wumpa that only comes from heavy, heavy bass. 

If you fall into the latter categories, you may need to spruce up your car audio a bit with a new deck or speakers. These sets can range anywhere from budget friendly systems to high-end units that would make a DJ blush. Whatever your needs, be sure to pick the set that best fits your listening style. You can find some helpful tips right here with our post on 4 Things to Know When Upgrading Your Car Audio. 

Find What You Need with Progressive Leasing

Ready to upgrade that old, janky car radio? Progressive Leasing offers simple, flexible payment options from over 30,000 retail partner locations. Find a store near you and discover your perfect audio deck by visiting our website at ProgLeasing.com.