In this blog, you’ll learn tips to ready your car for the school year, including:
- Maintenance
- Safety
- Vehicle organization
- Minimizing distractions during school runs.
We assist families with affordable financing and family-friendly vehicles, ensuring you’re prepared for the road—including carpooling.
As summer winds down and the back-to-school checklist grows – new backpacks, lunchboxes, class schedules, and supply lists – there’s one thing that many parents forget to prepare: their vehicle.
Between early morning drop-offs, after-school activities, weekend games, and last-minute grocery runs, your car is about to play a starring role in your family’s routine. So, before the bell rings on the new school year, it’s time to ask: Is your car ready for the carpool lane?
We’ve compiled five simple tips to help you get your car ready for the school year, from maintenance advice to safety essentials.
- Make sure your vehicle is up to date on maintenance.
Tires, brakes, oil, wiper blades, and lights – these basics keep your family safe and your schedule running smoothly. While you’re at it, test your battery and top off fluids, such as coolant and windshield wiper fluid. A quick maintenance check now can save you a big headache later.
If you’re unsure what your vehicle needs, refer to your vehicle’s service contract. At America’s Car-Mart, our optional Service Contract Plus offers peace of mind with up to three years of maintenance coverage based on the purchase price of the vehicle.
Check our helpful blogs on vehicle maintenance:
- Check your Four Filters – Air, Cabin, Fuel, Oil
- 6 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Battery
- Car-Mart’s 10 basic maintenance tips
- 6 warning signs about your brakes
- The Importance of Tire Rotation and Care of Your Tires
- 8 Things to Know about Your Vehicle Oil Changes
- Know your safety features.
It’s safety first. Double-check car seats, boosters, and seatbelts for proper installation and function. Ensure your emergency kit includes jumper cables, a flashlight, and first aid essentials, etc. Verify that your vehicle has key features, such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, and child safety locks.
When you shop at Car-Mart, we help you find vehicles that meet your family’s needs, including safety features that matter.
Check out our helpful blogs on vehicle safety:
- Maintaining Your Car for Safety and Driving Safely
- Top Considerations When Purchasing a Used Car for Your Teenager
- A Roadside Emergency Kit – Filled with Essentials to Keep You Safe
- Clean and organize for efficiency.
The carpool lane can be hectic. Keep your ride school-ready by using seat organizers for backpacks and gear, cleaning out summer clutter, and adding essentials like snacks and tissues. A small back seat bin can help. Also, make sure to clean your windshield, windows, and mirrors to increase visibility.
A clean, organized car can make morning drop-offs and afternoon pickups go a lot smoother.
- Drive in comfort and check your spare tire and jack.
Early mornings and long pickup lines need a comfortable ride. Check your air conditioning or heating system, inspect your spare tire for proper inflation, and ensure your jack and necessary tools are in place.
These details matter—nothing disrupts a school morning more than a flat tire and no plan B.
- Consider a vehicle upgrade with flexible financing.
If your vehicle isn’t enough anymore – too small, unreliable, or worn out — it might be time for an upgrade. We help busy families find dependable cars with low down payments and affordable financing. Adding a co-buyer could also improve your options.
Our goal is to work with your budget, not push you into something that doesn’t fit your lifestyle.
BONUS TIP: Set up a “school mode” on your phone.
Most smartphones now have a “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature. Enable this beforehand to minimize distractions during school runs—and to set a good example for teen drivers.
Getting your kids to school should be stress-free, so make sure your car is school-ready. We help families drive with confidence, with affordable financing and family-friendly vehicles, ensuring you’re ready for the road ahead—carpool lane included.
At Car-Mart, we care about more than just getting you a car—we’re here to help keep your family moving safely.
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Protect Your Family’s Journey with Flexible Coverage Options
Life can be unpredictable. That’s why we provide an optional Accident Protection Plan, which helps cancel the remaining debt in the event the vehicle is stolen or deemed a total loss due to an accident. Our optional Service Contract Plus includes coverage for unexpected major mechanical repairs, including Good Sam® roadside assistance and limited oil changes. These protections ensure your family stays on the move without unexpected expenses or delays.
Ready for the carpool lane? Make sure your vehicle is, too!
Get pre-qualified* today with no hit on your credit.
*Get pre-qualified, which is a soft credit inquiry only, with no impact to your credit score. A hard credit inquiry that may affect your credit score will be required for the purchase of a vehicle. Pre-qualification does not guarantee loan approval or specific terms.
