Preparing your teen for the open road goes far beyond just passing a driver’s test. Even if your teen has put in hours of practice time and passed their driver’s test, there are still skills that driving lessons don’t teach and many parents can forget to pass on until it’s too late. Here are a few of the top car skills every parent should teach their teen to prepare them for any scenario on the road.
Changing a Tire
Learning how to change a tire is a classic car maintenance and safety tip. A flat tire can happen at any moment due to balding or old tires, potholes, or punctures. Teaching your teen how to change their own tire and equipping them with the right tools can keep them from being stranded on the side of the road. Practice changing a tire from the safety of your home to get your teens comfortable with the process.
Knowing When to Pull Over
Cars are equipped with all sorts of lights and indicators to let us know when there’s something wrong with it. A gas light may come on to let your teen know they are low on gas, or a check engine light may signal a more serious and urgent problem. Familiarize your teen with common indicators so that they’ll know when it is safe to keep driving and when they need to pull over for immediate assistance.
How to Drive in All Conditions
Typically, a dry and sunny day is when parents may feel more apt to teach their teens how to drive. However, be sure your teen has some supervised experience driving in all weather conditions so that they’ll feel comfortable in every situation. Make sure they are familiar with how their vehicle may handle snow or rain differently than a dry road.
Learning how to change a tire, knowing the signs of when you should pull over, and gaining driving experience in all conditions are some of the top car skills every parent should teach their teen.
