The fall semester is underway at Colorado State University, and thousands of vehicles have just arrived in Fort Collins from across Colorado and out of state. Some spent the summer parked; others just finished a long highway trip loaded with belongings. Either way, a vehicle that will carry a student through a Colorado school year deserves a check-up now, while the weather is still mild. In this month’s blog post, we offer a practical checklist for students and for the parents who worry about them from a distance.
Tires and tread. A cross-country drive with a full load wears tires faster than normal commuting. Check tread depth, look for uneven wear, and confirm the pressure matches the sticker inside the driver’s door. Fort Collins sits at 5,000 feet, and pressure changes with both altitude and the cool nights that are already arriving.
Oil and fluids. If the last oil change was before summer break, it is likely due. Coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid levels should all be checked. A vehicle that sat unused for months can develop leaks at seals that dried out while parked.
Brakes. Listen for squealing or grinding and notice whether the pedal feels soft or the vehicle pulls to one side when stopping. College Avenue traffic and the stop-and-go of campus driving are hard on brakes, and mountain drives on weekends are harder still.
Lights and wipers. With shorter days ahead, every exterior light should work. Wiper blades that baked in the summer sun will fail during the first fall rain or early snow.
The spare and the basics. Confirm that the spare tire holds air and that the jack is in the vehicle. A small kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, and a blanket is inexpensive insurance for a student driving alone at night.
Know the vehicle’s history. Students often inherit a family vehicle without knowing when the timing belt or transmission fluid was last serviced. A quick inspection establishes a baseline so there are no surprises in January.
Campus Auto Repair is one block from CSU at 1810 South College Avenue. Walk-ins are welcome, and many repairs are completed the same day. Contact our service professionals today to schedule your vehicle inspection appointment.
The fall semester is underway at Colorado State University, and thousands of vehicles have just arrived in Fort Collins from across Colorado and out of state. Some spent the summer parked; others just finished a long highway trip loaded with belongings. Either way, a vehicle that will carry a student through a Colorado school year Read More
Many of the vehicles we see near the CSU campus this time of year have a familiar story. They were handed down from a parent or bought used; they have somewhere between 80,000 and 150,000 miles on them, and nobody is quite sure what has been serviced. Of all the questions that come with an Read More
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