Whether you’re a student or a parent who drops off and picks up their kids from school, there’s no denying that your car has a huge impact on your daily life. It’s a transition space where you or your children get in the zone for another busy day and decompress at the end of the day.
With that said, how well your car is equipped to cater to your needs can sometimes set the tone of the day.
For example, a cluttered cabin makes it hard to find items. The struggle can give way to a frustrated search or a time-consuming trip home to retrieve something you didn’t know you had left behind. Either way, the experience can influence your mood for the rest of the day.
Fortunately, there are accessories that can help you avoid such issues and make going back to school hassle-free.
Back-to-School Car Accessory Essentials
Some must-have accessories to make school trips safer and more convenient include roadside emergency kits, cargo organizers, first aid kits, a hand sanitizer holder, and a phone holder.
Roadside Emergency Kits
Roadside emergency kits are useful, especially during the school season when time is of the essence for students. These kits have everything you’ll need in case of car-related emergencies, including jumper cables, flashlights, and an emergency disc LED flare kit, among others.
Having these at your disposal lets you get back on the road quicker. It also ensures others are aware of your circumstances, which helps prevent accidents.
Cargo Organizers
A cargo organizer frees up more space inside your cabin. This is especially useful if you’re dropping off or picking up multiple kids, as it can get crowded inside the car.
These organizers will also let you keep crucial tools in case of emergencies, like a first aid kit, jumper cables, WD-40 spray, and flashlights, among others.
There are different types of cargo organizers. There are storage units that you can keep underneath the seat, at the back of your truck, or even at the back of the passenger seat. You can also get ones that add partitions to your trunk.
First Aid Kits
It’s important to have access to a first aid kit at all times, especially if you have children. Kids can be quite playful at school or inside the car, so some bumps and bruises shouldn’t be too surprising.
Having a first aid kit inside your car lets you treat minor injuries immediately. Some kits also come with medicine, which is helpful if you or your kids are feeling under the weather.
Hand Sanitizer Holder
In the same vein, kids often get messy from participating in school activities, playing, or simply eating in your car. This is where a hand sanitizer holder comes in handy. Keeping one in your car means you don’t have to sift through your bag to clean up your kids.
Of course, it also makes your life easier if you need to clean up. The holder also prevents spillage and making a mess inside the cabin.
Phone Holder
Lastly, a phone holder works wonders when you’re driving to or from school. If you need to check the map, call someone, or browse your emails while in traffic, the holder can keep your phone accessible.
You can also get one for your kids to keep them entertained during the trip. Not only will it prevent stress and tantrums, but it’ll also keep your gadgets safe from damage.
Ways to Get Your Car Ready For School
Besides investing in handy car accessories, don’t neglect upkeep and replace faulty or inoperative parts immediately.
After all, something as simple as simple as an underinflated tire or a dim headlight can make driving dangerous. The former can reduce traction, which can affect braking performance, while the latter can limit what you can see at night, increasing the risk of accidents.
For safe and hassle-free school trips with your daily driver, follow these essential upkeep tips.
Wash Your Car
During the summer, your car may have accumulated dirt and dust from all the road trips and adventures you were out on. It might turn heads for the wrong reasons when it rolls up in front of the school.
So, before school starts, it’s ideal to clean your vehicle. Besides making it look appealing, washing also helps prevent damage, as dirt and debris can be acidic and corrosive. They can be rough in texture and wear down your car’s clear coat or paint.
To properly wash your daily driver, use an appropriate car wash soap. These are formulated to clean the exterior without damaging the paint or coatings.
Change the Windshield Wiper
Sometimes, you can’t help driving through the rain to get to school. However, a faulty windshield wiper can make the trip dangerous, especially during storms and downpours. You’ll have to deal with limited visibility on top of slippery roads, a risky combination for you and your passengers.
So replace the windshield wiper if it’s damaged or malfunctioning. Similarly, make sure to clean the windshield to remove any dust or bug guts that may have accumulated over the summer.
Replace Dim Lights
In 2021, an estimated 162,298 children were injured in traffic crashes. To avoid adding to the statistic, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
So don’t put off replacing dim car lights, especially if school ends after dark. A dim headlight affects your perception of the road, while a busted tail light limits your car’s visibility for drivers behind you.
Not to mention that driving with either of them while they’re damaged or inoperative is illegal.
You can replace both yourself to save some money. Mechanic shops will charge a minimum of $100 per hour when replacing the headlights, while you could be looking at an $800 bill for the tail lights.
Refill the Coolant
For students, going to and from school can be tiring, especially for the first few weeks when they have to make adjustments. In the same vein, parents who drive their kids to school must take this into consideration.
One way you can keep everyone aboard comfortable is by providing a pleasant ride with a fully functioning aircon. That involves refilling the coolant/antifreeze. Low levels of coolant decrease your A/C’s cooling efficiency and cause your engine to overheat, which may lead to hot trips and costly repairs.
Inflate the Tires
Ensure your tires are properly inflated to prevent accidents on the road. Over-inflated tires could lead to blowouts if put under enough stress. Meanwhile under-inflated ones could lead to unresponsive steering because the rubber has more slack, making steering more sluggish.
To properly inflate your tire, you’ll need a tire pressure gauge and an air pump. The gauge measures the tire’s psi, while the air pump lets you inflate the tire to the appropriate air pressure.
Change Your Oil
Engine oil keeps everything lubricated to ensure the vehicle runs smoothly. Like most things keeping your car intact, the oil can also deteriorate as it gets dirt and breaks down.
Before it does, it’s best to change the oil. Otherwise, you might notice increased wear, overheating, clogged systems, and other issues. It’s recommended to change oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. You can also consult your owner’s manual for the correct interval.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.