As summer winds down, many families are turning their attention to school supply lists, sports schedules, and those early morning routines that come with the start of a new school year. But there’s one thing that doesn’t always make the back-to-school checklist, and it should.
Whether you’re driving your children to school, dealing with a brand new driver hitting the road, or helping a college student get ready to take on life away from home, your vehicle becomes so much more than just a convenient way to get around when the school year begins. It becomes your family’s safety tool, schedule-keeper, and constant companion throughout many of your day-to-day activities.
For this reason and so many more, your car or truck needs to be part of your back-to-school plans. After all, when your vehicle becomes your kid’s bus or when you’re relying on a teen’s driving skills to stay on the road and get to classes on time, how your car performs is directly tied to your family’s (and often, your sanity’s) safety.
Why Your Car Deserves a Back-to-School Check
As our Mission Auto Repair shop staff know all too well, the first cool morning of fall is when “uh-oh” automotive moments tend to happen. Whether it’s that battery that never starts on a cold day, squealing brakes, the tire warning light, or an overheated engine, with most families dealing with crunch-time schedules all year long, even small vehicle issues can become major inconveniences in a snap.
For this reason, we’re making the case for all families to think of their vehicle as part of their school prep routine, much in the same way you might be getting new backpacks or notebooks ready for your children’s classrooms or teens’ dorm rooms. After all, when you’re relying on your car or truck to keep your family safe on the road, go from home to school and back again, stay on schedule, and get to practices, games, and other activities, you want to make sure it can do all these things and more without drama, hesitation, or worry.
Our Back-to-School Vehicle Checklist
If you’re ready to start the school year with a clean bill of vehicle health, consider these car care basics before that first day of school or the first student drive to campus:
- Brakes and tire condition
- Oil level and fluid top-offs
- Battery health and charge
- Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals
- Windshield wipers and washer fluid
- Cabin air filter (if you’re carpooling, this is especially important!)
- Emergency kit (include jumper cables, flashlight, first aid supplies, and water)
Why It Matters to Families
We’ve had moms pull into our shop looking worried and exhausted because they noticed a weird noise coming from their car, but kept driving anyway. We’ve had college kids stop by on their way out of town only to find out their tires were dangerously bald. And we’ve seen parents with that panicked, desperate look because their vehicle broke down and, while trying to sort it out, also realized their children would be late for school or a practice.
Car issues are never fun, but when they affect your family’s safety and schedule, well, that’s a problem. Our vehicles are a family extension, whether we like it or not, and a safe, working car or truck will help you to stay on schedule and stress-free all year long. On the other hand, when your vehicle isn’t in tip-top shape, even small setbacks will affect your day and your family’s plans.
Why spend hours (or dollars) on car trouble that could have been avoided with just a little bit of preventive care?
Families Are Busy. Period.
We know families are busy. We also know that’s why we created the Mission Auto Advantage Program (MAAP), an affordable and convenient one-year plan to help you stay on top of preventive maintenance without having to worry about what’s due and when. Our three MAAP options allow you to pick a package that matches your budget and your vehicle’s needs:
- $119.99: Two synthetic blend oil changes, one tire rotation, one VA state inspection
- $199.99: Two full synthetic oil changes, one tire rotation, one VA state inspection
- $249.99: Four synthetic blend oil changes, two tire rotations, one VA state inspection
Every package is good for one vehicle for a full year and includes 10% off labor for all repairs. MAAP is all about making life easier for our families in the neighborhood, planning ahead, and giving your vehicle the preventive care it needs to be there for you and your family.
Don’t Wait. Book Your Service Before the Last-Minute Rush
We’re the first to admit that August will once again be a busy month at Mission Auto Repair, and much of it will be from last-minute service. We know, because we get busy, too! But we’re also the first to say this year, let’s try a new approach.
If you’re ready to give your family the gift of back-to-school car care this August, consider getting your service booked early. Schedule now, while your kids are still home, with no activities or practices to squeeze in, and before those busy first days of school. Whether you want the peace of mind of a vehicle health check before a new driver takes the wheel or a little assurance that your minivan will make it through another year of carpool duty, our team at Mission Auto Repair is here to help you and your family start this school year safe.
📍 Schedule online, call us, or swing by. We’d be honored to serve you and your vehicle.