The Care and Feeding of the Family Car

You've been around cars your entire life, so it's easy to overlook that they are complex machines. To prolong the life of the vehicle and protect your own life, it's important that you get in the habit of performing routine safety checks before hitting the road. You should feel confident in your ability to:

• use a tire gauge to check tire pressure;
• check fluid levels;
• change a tire;
• use jumper cables.

If you need help developing these skills, look for a car care clinic in your community. Your AAA club may host clinics with experts who can help you learn to perform these basics.

Next: More than Mechanics: The Personal Side of Driving