I have learned a few things about what your child needs to know before getting their drivers license. Each time one of my children would get their license, I thought I had prepared them for the responsibility of driving and maintaining a car. This month my 5th child will be getting her drivers license, and now I have a chance to finally get the formula right.
When I turned 16 and started nagging my parents to drive me to the DMV to get my license, my dad took me out to the driveway and made me rotate the tires on the 76' Cadillac. I thought at the time that he was just trying to dis-wade me from my mission, but I have NEVER been one to back down from a challenge! Now I understand that he never wanted me to be stuck somewhere with a flat tire and unable to take care of myself. And by the way, I am an expert tire changer!
There is something you should know about me though. I carry the gene for broken head gasket. This is not a recessive gene by the way. I and four of my children have either cracked, broken or warped the head gasket on our cars.
I am not proud of this, but if I don't laugh at myself, I would cry. These were a few very expensive and inconvenient mistakes. So here are my top 5 things to teach your kids before they get their license.
- Where the oil goes. How to check the oil. Older cars need frequent checks by the way, and that big grease spot under your car is probably your oil!
- Check the coolant/antifreeze regularly. Especially important in the HEAT! Make sure they know where it goes. My son once put coolant in the oil compartment. Oooops
- The battery. How to jump start a car. How to clean the battery connections. In Phoenix, the batter life is 2 years, it's sooooooo hot! If your car won't start, a good place to start is checking the battery.
- Tires. How to change a tire, and how to check and keep the correct tire pressure in your tires. the correct tire pressure will add life to your tires and prevent a blowout.
- How to use a sharpie to cover up the check engine light. I'M KIDDING!
My perspective might be slanted a little. I live somewhere that it hardly rains, and NEVER snows. It doesn't get to freezing temperatures, but it does get to 121 degrees. You may need to add things to your list to maintain it in the cold or snow. This mama doesn't know anything bout that!