A new teen driver in the home is often a stressful situation for parents. Even though there’s no way to completely eliminate the worries brought on when your child hits the road, you can make smart choices that will give you peace of mind when deciding what vehicle he or she will be driving.

There are scary facts and statistics surrounding teenagers and driving, but choosing the right car can potentially save your teen’s life in the case of an accident. When it comes to evaluating what you are looking for in a vehicle for your first-time driver, Nerces Mavelian, owner of Autoscope Foreign Car Care, offers some criteria to follow:

Size Matters: Find a Car That’s Not Too Small or Too Big

As you begin shopping for a vehicle, you should avoid looking at anything that is too small or too big and instead focus on good midsize cars, which are safe and maneuverable.

Pickup trucks are more likely to roll over than midsize vehicles, and subcompacts don’t offer enough protection if a crash were to occur. If you want to check out SUVs, look at smaller models and ones that come equipped with electronic stability control, which helps prevent rollovers.

Late-Model Used Cars Eliminate Concerns About Safety Features and Dents

Going with a late-model used car eliminates some concerns that come along with purchasing an older or newer car. Consider a car model released within the last four years. Unlike old cars that may lack safety features, a late-model used car will have all of the important safety technology, such as antilock brakes, side air bags and side curtain airbags.

Also, according to some statistics, about one in four new drivers are likely to dent their vehicles; going with a late-model used car instead of something brand new will allow first-time drivers to refine their driving skills without having to worry as much about accidentally denting their cars.

Keep the Engine in Mind — Avoid Too Much Horsepower

Too much horsepower can often tempt teenagers into driving unsafely. Even though V6 engines are popular among shoppers, a young driver does not need that much horsepower. Instead of an overly powerful car, parents should look into vehicles with four-cylinder engines.

Doing Research is Important; Consider Crash Test Reports

Before purchasing a vehicle, it’s important to do research about how the make and model you are interested in buying has performed in crash tests. Several organizations, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), offer safety ratings for vehicles, which can be found online. The ratings take front, side, rear and rollover crash tests into consideration.

Proper Maintenance is Key to Vehicle Safety

Once you purchase a vehicle, it is extremely important to maintain it properly for safety. Even the safest vehicle models can malfunction if maintenance isn’t performed, potentially leading to a life-threatening accident.

All lights (headlights, taillights, turn signals and interior lights) should be routinely checked for functionality, as should windshield wipers and wiper blades to ensure necessary performance during bad weather.

Tires should be routinely checked for proper air pressure and excessive wear and tear. Wheel alignment should be checked once a year, as misalignment could affect vehicle handling.

A self-check can be done to determine if brakes are functioning properly. If you hear any strange noises, like squeaking or grinding, when applying your breaks, be sure to have your brakes inspected by a mechanic.

According to Mavelian, proper maintenance will not only prolong the life of your vehicle, but will improve its performance throughout the years.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to properly maintain your European car, call Autoscope at 214-960-1016 or visit the website at www.autoscope.co.

Autoscope - Park Cities

6134 Denton Drive
Dallas, TX 75235 (MAP)

214-960-1016
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sun: Closed

www.autoscope.co