By Bryan Montalbano
•
August 6, 2025
Summer break is winding down, and soon Fresno families will return to the busy routine of school drop-offs, after-school activities, and college commutes. Whether you're driving kids to Roosevelt High School or your college student is heading back to Fresno State, now is the perfect time to make sure your family vehicles are ready for another demanding school year. At Fresno Tire Co., we see a spike in car troubles every September when families suddenly increase their driving after a relaxed summer. Don't let a preventable breakdown make your family late for the first day of school or strand your college student on campus. Here's your complete back-to-school car maintenance checklist. Start with Safety Essentials Your family's safety should be the top priority as driving routines change and traffic increases around schools throughout Fresno. Check your brakes thoroughly. School zones mean frequent stops, and Fresno's heavy traffic during morning and afternoon rush hours puts extra demand on brake systems. Listen for squealing or grinding noises, and pay attention to how your pedal feels. If brakes feel spongy or require more pressure than usual, have them inspected immediately. Test all lights and signals. With earlier morning departures and later evening activities, you'll be driving in darker conditions. Check headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. Replace any burned-out bulbs now rather than getting pulled over in a school zone or causing an accident. Inspect tires for back-to-school safety. Check tread depth using the penny test—insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln's head down. If you can see the top of his head, it's time for new tires. Also check tire pressure monthly, as temperature changes between hot days and cooler mornings affect pressure readings. Prepare for Increased Driving Demands School year driving is different from summer cruising. You'll face more stop-and-go traffic, frequent short trips, and extended idling in pickup lines. Service your engine oil and filter. Frequent short trips to school don't allow engines to fully warm up, which is harder on oil than highway driving. Consider switching to full synthetic oil if you haven't already—it handles temperature extremes better and provides superior protection during stop-and-go driving around Fresno schools. Flush and fill cooling system if needed. After a summer of extreme heat, your cooling system needs attention before facing another demanding season. Check coolant levels and condition. If coolant appears rusty or contaminated, have the system flushed. Morning school runs followed by sitting in hot parking lots all day stress cooling systems significantly. Replace air filters. Fresno's dusty conditions, especially during harvest season, clog air filters quickly. A dirty air filter reduces fuel economy and engine performance—exactly what you don't need when gas prices are high and you're driving more frequently. Focus on Reliability for Busy Schedules Nothing disrupts a family's morning routine like a car that won't start or breaks down during the school run. Test your battery and charging system. Extreme summer heat damages batteries, and the increased electrical demands of back-to-school driving can reveal weakened batteries. Have your battery tested and replace it if it's over three years old or showing signs of weakness. The last thing you want is to be stranded at school pickup with a dead battery. Inspect belts and hoses. Heat and age cause rubber components to crack and fail. A broken serpentine belt can leave you stranded and potentially damage other engine components. Check for cracks, fraying, or soft spots in hoses that could lead to coolant leaks. Verify your spare tire and tools. Make sure you have a properly inflated spare tire and working jack. With increased driving comes increased risk of flats, and you'll want to get back on the road quickly when taking kids to school or picking them up from activities. Special Considerations for College Students If you have a student heading to Fresno State or other local colleges, their vehicles need extra attention since they'll be driving more independently. Complete a comprehensive safety inspection. College students often drive at night, in unfamiliar areas, and sometimes long distances home for visits. Make sure their vehicle is thoroughly inspected by professionals who can catch potential problems before they become roadside emergencies. Update emergency supplies. Stock their car with emergency items including jumper cables, tire gauge, basic tools, emergency phone charger, water, and emergency cash. College students are more likely to be driving alone and need to be self-sufficient. Review maintenance schedules. Teach your college student how to check oil levels, tire pressure, and other basic maintenance items. Make sure they know when their next oil change is due and have contact information for reliable service providers. Budget-Smart Maintenance Tips Back-to-school expenses add up quickly, but skipping car maintenance isn't worth the risk of expensive breakdowns. Prioritize safety items first. If budget is tight, focus on brakes, tires, and lights before addressing less critical items. These directly impact your family's safety and are often required by law. Bundle services to save money. Many shops offer package deals for multiple services. Getting oil changes, filter replacements, and inspections done together often costs less than individual services. Don't delay obvious problems. That strange noise or dashboard warning light won't go away on its own. Addressing small problems now prevents expensive major repairs later. Plan Ahead for Fresno's School Traffic Increased traffic around schools throughout Fresno puts extra stress on vehicles and drivers. Factor in extra driving time. Heavy traffic means more idling and stop-and-go driving, which is harder on engines, transmissions, and brakes. Allow extra time for school runs to reduce stress on both you and your vehicle. Consider alternate routes. Sometimes avoiding heavy traffic areas during peak times is easier on your car and your schedule. Plan backup routes in case of construction or accidents. Keep maintenance current. Regular service intervals become even more important when driving conditions are more demanding. Start the School Year Right Don't let car troubles disrupt your family's back-to-school transition. A little preparation now saves time, money, and stress throughout the school year. Our experienced team at Fresno Tire Co. offers comprehensive back-to-school vehicle inspections to catch problems before they strand your family. We've been keeping Fresno families safe and reliable since 2001, and we know exactly what local driving conditions demand from your vehicles. Get your family vehicles school-ready: Call: (559) 762-4441 Visit: 6632 N Blackstone Ave Ste B, Fresno, CA 93710 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Schedule your back-to-school maintenance appointment today and start the new school year with confidence that your family's vehicles are ready for whatever the year brings.
