For busy moms who spend a large part of their lives in the car, transporting children to the wide range of activities they are involved in, it is important to have a basic understanding of car maintenance. It is important to be able to understand your vehicle so that you are less likely to get stranded by the side of the road in need of help. No matter who you are it is possible to understand what your vehicle is trying to tell you. While car issues may feel outside of your comfort zone in reality basic car maintenance is not scary.

Car Overheating?

One common car issue is when a car overheats. First if your car overheats, do not open the hood until the car has completely cooled or the temperature gauge has moved from hot to cool. Next check the coolant (also called antifreeze) level in the radiator. Look in the owner’s manual if you are unsure where the coolant reservoir tank is. Make sure the radiator cap is cool before opening it. Slowly twist it off with a towel and beware of any hot steam. If needed, fill coolant to the top of the radiator. Put the radiator cap back on.

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Flat Tire?

If you find you have a flat tire first find a safe location, turn on your hazard lights and apply the parking brake. Next apply wheel wedges, remove the hubcap, and loosen the lug nuts. Next  place the jack under the vehicle, raise the vehicle with the jack and unscrew the lug nuts. Finally remove the flat tire, mount the spare tire on the lug bolts, tighten the lug nuts by hand, lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts again, replace the hubcap, check the pressure in the spare tire and be on your way. While there are many steps involved it is possible for a busy mom to fix her own flat tire and be on her way quickly. Moms do not have to be scared of fixing their own tires and can feel more confident about their own car maintenance abilities. 

How to Keep Children Safe.

When there are young children involved it is important to understand how to keep them safe in the car. First make sure the car seat fits your baby. Next before placing your child in the car seat, set up the harness straps, check the buckle position and then loosen the car seat harness straps. Next it is time to buckle your baby into the car seat, buckle the harness retainer clip, and tighten the car seat harness. 

It is also important to make sure your baby does not get too hot or too cold. Tragically children are lost every year because they are left in cars  and overheat. On the other side of the temperature scale it is important to remember if you are adding a blanket you must put the blanket over the top of the harness. Never place blankets, thick clothing, or winter coats underneath the car seat harness. 

Check Engine Light?

The check engine light illuminates when your vehicle’s computer believes there is a problem that could affect your car’s emissions control system. These lights illuminate when a routine service is due and when you should bring your car to a mechanic. The check engine light can refer to a wide range of car issues including your gas cap is loose, your oxygen sensor is bad, problems with the spark plugs, your catalytic converter is faulty, or your mass airflow sensor is bad.

There are a wide range of issues that can come up as moms are driving their families around. While some of these issues may feel beyond the understanding of the typical mom often there are easy step by step procedures that can make these issues easily solvable. All moms can know how to respond when their car overheats, when they have a flat tire, or when the check engine light comes on. In addition it is always important to know how to keep your children safe in the car no matter what the weather is outside. Take control of your vehicle and learn the basics of car maintenance.