Jim Ackney

OUR BLOG

Help Your Teen Driver Stay Safe With These Tips

Learning to drive can be both exciting and terrifying for a teen driver. If you want to help your child become a safe and attentive driver, follow the tips gathered in this post by Jim Ackney in Edmonton.

If you raise teens, chances are they'll soon be ready to get their driver's permit or license. Of course, handing them the keys to the family car can be nerve-racking. Still, learning how to drive is a crucial step they must take toward independence. Especially if they're going off to college in a few months or you can no longer take them everywhere. As a parent, you play a crucial role in setting your child up to become a safe and responsible teen driver. For tips on the matter, keep reading this post by Jim Ackney!

Call Jim Ackney at (780) 476-0545 to get the best, most effective synthetic oil change in Edmonton. Also, stop by AMSOIL's online store to explore their complete line of top-shelf oils, lubricants, and maintenance products for your rig.

How to Help Your Child to Become a Safe Teen Driver

Set a Good Example

If you want your teen to be safe and attentive behind the wheel, lead by example. That means reviewing your own driving habits. For instance, do you run yellow lights at times? Do you eat or check the phone while driving? Do you often exceed the local speed limits? If you often fall into these reckless habits, your teen might feel it's okay to do the same. So, to avoid them from mimicking any unsafe driving behaviors, correct the bad practices you may have.

Teach Them About Car Maintenance

Another good tip for raising a safe teen driver is to teach them about car maintenance. That will be particularly helpful if you plan on getting your child a separate rig. That said, teach them how to check a car's tire pressure, oil level, air filter, and other procedures. This way, they'll be best prepared to take good care of a vehicle.

Practice in a Safe Space

The next step is to find an empty parking lot where your child can practice. Then you can teach them how to turn the car on and off, use the pedals smoothly, and steer safely. It is also a good idea to place boxes or cones all over the lot, so your child can learn how to park, turn, and back up. The idea is for your teen to tackle basic maneuvers before moving on to drive in quiet neighborhoods. Thus, take them to the lot for as many practice sessions as needed.

Make sure your engine is on top of its game by feeding it with top-quality formulas, such as AMSOIL's Signature Series 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. To get this and other top-quality motor oils, stop by AMSOIL's website or call Jim Ackney in Edmonton at (780) 476-0545 anytime.

Choose a Safe Car for Them

If you are considering buying your child their first car, opt for the safest option. Doing so is vital because, due to their inexperience, teenagers are high-risk drivers on the road. Therefore, avoid sports cars and large SUVs. Instead, look for vehicles with a 5-star crash test rating. Also, look for rigs with plenty of airbags, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes. This way, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your child is driving a safe car suited to their abilities.

Help Them Know the Car's Controls

Another way to help your teen be more prepared behind the wheel is to introduce them to the car's main controls. To that end, hand them the owner's manual of the vehicle they'll be driving so they can learn about its functions. Discuss the meaning behind the dashboard gauges and warning lights. And lastly, have them set the headrest, seat, and steering wheel comfortably for them.

Enroll Your Teen in an Approved Driver's Education Course

Lastly, consider enrolling your child in driving lessons. Driving under a qualified instructor's supervision will speed up your child's learning process. As a result, they'll boost their confidence and knowledge to ace their road test. But more importantly, a driving course will equip them with the skills they need to be safe on the road.