5 Things Every New Driver Should Know About Their Car

Getting your driver's license is a pretty big deal. Suddenly, you have freedom. You can drive yourself to school, work, practice or a friend's house—and Mom and Dad are officially relieved of at least some of their chauffeur duties. 😁

But learning how to drive a car and learning how to take care of a car are two different things.

During Teen Driver Safety Week, there's a lot of important conversation about seat belts, distracted driving and following the rules of the road. We'd like to add another one to the list: basic car care.

You don't need to know how to rebuild an engine or change your own oil. But every new driver should know these five things about the vehicle they're driving.

1. Know When You're Due for an Oil Change

Your engine needs oil to lubricate and protect its moving parts, and that oil needs to be changed periodically.

How often? There's no single mileage interval that's right for every vehicle.

Your owner's manual is the best place to start because recommendations vary by vehicle, engine and driving conditions. Many newer vehicles also have an oil-life monitoring system that lets you know when service is approaching.

The important lesson for a new driver: don't ignore it.

And don't assume Mom or Dad will always remind you. Part of having the freedom of a car is learning to take responsibility for maintaining it.

2. Know What the Tire Pressure Light Means

That little horseshoe-shaped warning light with an exclamation point in the middle? That's your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning light.

It usually means at least one tire is significantly below the recommended pressure.

Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop, which is why these lights often appear when Kansas City temperatures suddenly fall. But you shouldn't simply assume the weather is responsible and ignore it.

Check the tires and inflate them to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You'll usually find that number on a sticker inside the driver's door—not on the tire itself.

And while we're talking about tires, learn where your spare tire is too!

3. Pay Attention to Warning Lights and Gauges

Cars have a pretty effective way of telling us when they're unhappy. The trick is actually paying attention. 😂

Some dashboard lights are reminders or alerts. Others can indicate a problem that needs immediate attention.

One especially important thing for a new driver to understand is the engine temperature warning. If your vehicle is overheating, continuing to drive it can cause serious engine damage.

The same goes for an oil-pressure warning or other critical red warning lights.

You don't have to know how to diagnose the problem yourself. You do need to know when it's time to safely pull over, turn off the vehicle and call someone who does.

4. Know Where Your Spare Tire and Tools Are

Imagine getting your first flat tire and discovering that you have absolutely no idea where the spare tire is.

That's not the ideal time to start figuring it out.

Before you need them, find out whether your vehicle has a spare tire and where it's located. Some newer vehicles don't have one at all and instead include an inflator or tire-repair kit.

If you do have a spare, locate the jack and lug wrench and learn how they're used.

And here's something experienced drivers forget too: check the air pressure in the spare periodically.

A flat spare isn't particularly helpful when you already have a flat tire.

5. Know Where Your Owner's Manual Is

No, we're not suggesting you curl up tonight and read your owner's manual from cover to cover. 😂

But know where it is—or how to access the digital version for your vehicle.

Your owner's manual can tell you what warning lights mean, what type of oil your vehicle requires, recommended tire pressure, maintenance schedules, what fluids to use and much more.

Think of it as your car's instruction manual. When something happens that you don't understand, it's a very good place to start.

A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way

Getting your driver's license comes with freedom—and a little responsibility too.

You don't need to become a mechanic. You just need to understand some basics, pay attention when your vehicle is trying to tell you something, and take care of routine maintenance before a small issue becomes a big one.

And if an oil change is on that maintenance list, Costa Oil – 10 Minute Oil Change in Parkville makes that part pretty easy.

No appointment is needed, you stay in your vehicle, and most oil changes take about 10 minutes.

New drivers welcome. Nervous parents welcome too. 😉