Parenting

Teens and Driving: Tips for New Teen Drivers

From Denise Witmer, former About.com Guide

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A drivers license and/or owning a car is one of the biggest responsibilities your teenagers may have. Here is a list of things they should know how to do before they go out on the road - complete with what should be kept in the car for emergencies.

Pump their own gas

Check and add oil

Check the brake fluid

Check location of spare, jack and lug wrench

Change a tire

Add windshield washer fluid

Check the car's coolant

Learn how to jump start the car

Learn how to take off and put on windshield wipers

Practice left hand turns

Practice three point turns

Prepare an emergency car care kit:

Before your teenager actually uses their kit in an emergency situation, have them take some time to familiarize themselves with the items they've collected and how to use them properly. An example of this would be to let them set off a flare.

Four 15-minute roadside flares & a lighter

A gallon of water

A basic first-aid pack

Dried fruit, nuts or other nonperishable food

A bag of cat box filler or rock salt

A large flashlight and extra batteries

Oil and a funnel

Tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, socket wrenches, etc.

List of phone numbers to call

Jumper cables

Blanket

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