Rock the Road – 5 Tips for First Time Drivers Behind the Wheel

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OK Tire - Frist Time Drivers behind the Wheel_ @DownshiftingPRO

The fall is a busy time for most families.  We squeeze in the last road trip, close up the cottage and then start getting ready for school.  This year we have two of our children at university, one in St. Catherine’s and the other locally. One daughter will be riding her bike or taking public transport to school.  The other will most likely be driving the car 50% of the time and taking the bus the other 50%.  She will be a first time driver on a daily commute!  No question about it, she’ll be asking: what do I need in my car?

OKT-First-Time-Driver-(1) (1)It seems amazing to me that we are required to take driving lessons and learn the rules of the road but we don’t always know what it takes to keep a car running.  That is why we need to educate our first time drivers on what you need to have in a car in case of an emergency.  As part of getting our eldest ready for the road we made sure that she has an emergency kit (bottled water, snacks, flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, flares, matches/lighter, candles, and a phone charger).   There are also a few tools that are mandatory in any car: jumper cables, a spare tire, a jack kit and directions on how to change a tire.  We need to encourage our new drivers to take the time to familiarize themselves with their vehicle.

The fall and spring are a great time to have your vehicle checked out bumper to bumper.  Teach your young driver that you need to start each season with a full maintenance check-up, after covering the basics like checking fluid levels (oil and windshield washer) and tire pressure.  Consider having a professional check for ‘ride control’ (a vehicle’s ability to stop, turn, and keep the tires on the road and the driver in control).  The suspension system is an integral part of your vehicle’s safety system, especially when it comes to your brakes.  Testing the suspension system requires a road test to ensure a smooth and safe ride.

Just in case your first time driver finds all this car maintenance talk a bit ‘dry’, remind them that there are many ways to spruce up your vehicle, like a new paint job or updating interior and exterior accessories, nothing elevates its look more than a new set of wheels.

I’m telling you this because OK Tire offers a wheel selecting feature on their website, making selecting and purchasing new wheels a much simpler (and kind of fun) process. The feature allows users to upload images of their vehicle and select the desired wheels to show directly on the image, essentially eliminating any guessing and providing a realistic idea of what the wheels would look like.

Just remember, getting out on the road for the first time is an exciting milestone for young drivers and their parents.  Not only is it a big step for a first-time driver, but it can be nerve-wracking for parents. Ensuring everyone is safe and comfortable on the road guarantees you the best experience behind the wheel. To help make sure everyone enjoys this milestone, OK Tire has put together five tips to help.

  5 Tips to Help You Rock the Road

OKT-First-Time-Driver-checklist1. Get to know your vehicle – Know where everything is and keep your eyes focused on the road

2. Be prepared – Make sure you have a spare tire, emergency kit, jumper cables and assorted tools

3. Check it out – Is your vehicle road-ready? OK Tire will perform preventative maintenance and full repair services to get your vehicle in tip-top shape.

4. Put it away – Distractions like sending a text or taking a selfie endanger everyone’s lives. Put your phone on silent and out of reach when you’re on the road.

5. Adapt for weather – Issues like reduced visibility and wet road conditions affect tire traction. Reduce your speed and brake sooner. Making sure you have the right tires on your vehicle, depending on the season, is also a crucial factor in staying safe on the road.

Once you’re all set to hit the road for the first time, let OK Tire be your DJ. With a curated playlist loaded with fan favourites, you’ll forget about fiddling with your phone trying to find tracks.

Heed these useful tips, pin the maintenance checklist to the fridge and remind them to keep on top of the little things.  In order to get your first time driver ready behind the wheel, you need to get behind them.  Coaching, encouraging and ensuring that the vehicle is comfortable and safe.

About OK Tire
As the largest independent tire and auto service retailer in Canada, OK Tire experts have the experience and knowledge to help you make the right decisions for your vehicle, no matter what the year, make or model. With over 300 locations coast to coast, OK Tire is 100% Canadian owned and operated. Customers can count on national support and the personal service of a local owner who lives in, shops in, and supports their community.


Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by OK Tire and as such I have been compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

 

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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.