Seven Tips to Make Your Teen a Better Driver

Putting a teenager behind the wheel can be nerve-racking for parents – and justifiably so. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that teens crash three times as often as drivers aged 20 and older. But there are things you can do to help keep them safe. Follow these seven tips to help your kids hit the road with the skills they need.

Tip #1: Drive as much as possible with them when they have their permit.

A study by the University of North Carolina’s Highway Safety Research Center found a sharp decline in crashes among young people who participated in about 110 hours of supervised driving before getting their license. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the risk of accident is far greater during a rookie driver’s first month. Make sure they’ve had maximum practice before they hit the road solo.

Tip #2: Limit the total teenage passenger count.

A survey by the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety determined that having other teens in the car can put a young driver at added risk. Friends can be distracting and cause the driver to underestimate potentially dangerous situations. So talk to your kids about tuning out their friends while they’re driving and consider limiting the number of passengers they’re allowed to have in the car.

Tip #3: Take steps to stop texting.

While everyone knows that texting while driving is dangerous, teens still do it: The AAA study found that distracted driving accounts for 58% of all crashes involving teens. You may want to consider requiring that your teen’s cell phone be turned off, stowed in the glove compartment when driving, or have them appoint a designated texter – if they have a passenger, hand off the device to him or her so the driver can still respond hands-free. And practice what you preach; if kids see you texting at the wheel, they won’t take you seriously when you insist they don’t.

Tip #4: Talk to teens about ALL kinds of distracted driving.

Texting while driving is dangerous, but it’s important that you talk to your teen about other distractions. The AAA found that searching for objects inside the vehicle, searching for an address, grooming and singing along with the radio can all increase the risk of accident. It’s also helpful to make sure your teen understands the importance of keeping volume at a reasonable level so he or she can hear car horns and emergency vehicles.

Tip #5: Get them in the seat-belt habit.

Few kids will ride a bike without wearing a helmet, but they’re less conscientious about using seatbelts. While seatbelt use reached a record high of 87% in 2013 and 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that teens use seatbelts less than other age groups. Seatbelts reduce risk of death in a crash by 45% and of moderate-to-critical injury by 50%. So get them in the habit: everyone buckle up before starting the car.

Tip #6: Offer late-night pickup service.

To reduce bad decisions, make it easy for your teens to call home for the Mom & Dad Taxi Service – any time. Teens hear “don’t drink and drive” all the time. But even if they’re not drinking, they may find themselves in situations where their driver is. Make sure your kids know they can avoid getting into a vehicle with a drunk driver, and that they can count on you for a safe ride no matter what.

Tip #7: Be a non-aggressive driver – and set an example.

Perhaps the most overlooked, but arguably most important action a parent can take to keep their teens safer behind the wheel is to walk the walk. The Automobile Association of America reported that 56% of car accidents are the result of aggressive driving. If you lash out, tailgate, cut someone off or drive angrily, your kids may mimic your behavior. Instead, teach them how to remain calm and avoid aggressive drivers.

Is It Time to Change My Spark Plugs?

Have you ever tried starting your car and it just stutters? Many assume it’s a faulty battery, but the problem could very well be the spark plugs. This is why it’s so important to keep up with spark plug maintenance and to look out for symptoms of bad spark plugs.

What do spark plugs do?

Using a small bolt of electricity, the spark plug ignites the fuel-air mixture in the engine, which helps your vehicle move. Each spark plug screws into an engine cylinder and connects to the car’s ignition system.

What happens when a spark plug goes bad?

Want to know the signs to look for that can indicate your spark plugs are misfiring? There are a few key symptoms, such as problems with idling, accelerating and fuel economy. We’re going to break down six signs there could be a problem with your spark plugs below.

6 signs of bad spark plugs

1. Irregular upkeep and maintenance

It’s always important to keep up with proper maintenance to ensure a smooth and safe ride. Each car requires a spark plug change at a certain mileage. Check your owner’s manual to see what the mileage is for your vehicle.

2. Rough idling

If you feel excessive shaking or vibrating when your engine is running but not in motion, this is called rough idling. When your spark plugs are misfiring, rough idling may be a symptom.

3. Declining fuel economy

When spark plugs are having trouble producing energy to accelerate your car, more gasoline is used to make up for the bad spark plug. If your vehicle is using more gasoline for starting your car, sitting at a traffic light and driving, your car’s fuel economy is decreasing.

4. Car struggles to start

If your car is just clicking when you try to start it, the cause could be worn-out spark plugs. If the spark plugs can’t produce enough energy to start the combustion process, your car won’t start. Take your car to a professional and have them check out the spark plugs.

5. The engine begins misfiring or pinging

If there is oil on the tip of the spark plug, this can cause the engine to misfire or keep it from starting altogether. It’s important to take your vehicle to a professional if you notice the oil because a repair is necessary. If you don’t repair it, this can damage the catalytic converter, which can be costly to replace.

6. Warning lights come on

If the check engine light comes on in your car, don’t ignore it. This could indicate a problem with the spark plugs or another issue with the engine. Regardless, if the light comes on when you’re driving, you’ll need to find a safe place to pull over and shut off your engine to investigate the issue or take it to a professional to diagnose the issue.

How long do spark plugs last?

Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to know how long your spark plugs last, because the mileage varies per car. Some spark plugs may last only 18,000 miles, while others last 100,000 miles. Make sure to take your car in for regular maintenance to ensure that it’s running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Lastly, make sure you and your vehicle are protected with the right insurance.

10 TIPS FOR CHANGING SPARK PLUGS

Old and failing spark plugs can cause a host of problems in your engine, and it should be expected that you’ll have to change them at least a few times during the life of a vehicle. Luckily, it’s a pretty straightforward DIY that requires close attention, but not many tools. With the right know-how and a few tricks up your sleeve, changing spark plugs is a simple job with big payoffs in fuel economy and performance.

1. SOLID PREP

Get all your tools together so you don’t have to search for them in the middle of the job. This includes a few specialty tools such as a spark plug puller that will make your life easier. Also, though it is tempting to use a regular socket to remove plugs, a specialized spark plug socket (of the correct size) is the way to go because it has an interior rubber component to protect the delicate ceramic housing.

2. KEEP YOUR COOL

Always let your engine cool down completely before starting work or be prepared to get burned

3. KEEP IT CLEAN

Before removing any plugs, take a vacuum and remove any dirt or debris in the area around the spark plug. The goal is to keep dirt from falling into the combustion chambers when the plugs are out. You might also take a bit of carb cleaner just for a really nice work area that isn’t going to drop grime in if you bump it while working.

4. GO TO YOUR HOME

If you have to remove anything such as vacuum hoses, coils, or other components that might easily get confused, make sure you label before disconnecting so they can be easily reinstalled.

5. ONE BY ONE

Remove and replace plugs one at a time. This will save you the frustration of having to figure out where each wire goes later.

6. GADGET INSPECTOR

Inspect each plug as it is removed. Look for excessive carbon buildup, oil, unburned fuel, or damage to diagnose unseen engine problems. Any of these indicate a bigger problem you’ll want to figure out ASAP.

7. MIND THE GAP

Most plugs these days come pre-gapped, but you’ll want to check to make sure the gap is correct with a gauge (carefully, especially if it’s iridium) and that there is no preexisting damage.

8. KEEPING THE SPARK ALIVE

There is much debate as to the use of anti-seize coating on spark plug threads. The decision mostly comes down to the manufacturer and type of spark plug, so consult with your local store before dabbing it on. Also, throw a dab of dielectric grease at the end of the plug wires.

9. SPARKING JOY

Start each plug into the engine by hand to avoid cross-threading at all costs. Once you get it in securely by hand, use a torque wrench to torque precisely as indicated by your owner’s manual.

10. WELL ADJUSTED

Make sure when the wires are installed on the new plugs that they seat fully. You’ll feel a small pop to know that they’re in.