ASU College Driver Survival Guide: What Every Student (and Parent!) Should Know

Sending a student off to college is a huge milestone — exciting, overwhelming, expensive, emotional… all of it at once.

And if your Sun Devil is bringing a car to campus, there’s one more layer of responsibility to juggle: keeping that vehicle safe, reliable, and ready for the demands of college life.

The truth is, ASU students drive a lot — from Tempe to Scottsdale, Gilbert to Mesa, back to campus, then off to jobs, internships, and late-night In-N-Out runs. A car gives them freedom… but it also comes with real maintenance needs.

That’s why we put together this ASU-friendly survival guide to help students and parents feel confident about keeping their vehicle road-ready all semester long.

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1. Start With the Basics: What Every ASU Student Should Know

Most college drivers don’t need to know everything — just the essentials. Here’s a quick starter list:

✔ How to check tire pressure

Arizona heat makes PSI swing like crazy. Underinflated tires = blowouts. Overinflated tires = worn-out tread. Both are unsafe.

✔ How to read the oil level

High-mileage engines, campus stop-and-go traffic, and long freeway trips all burn oil faster than expected.

✔ Dashboard light basics

Your student should know:

• Red lights = STOP immediately
• Yellow lights = service soon
• Blue/green = informational

Give them permission not to ignore weird lights.

✔ How to identify overheating

Arizona heat + clogged radiators + long drives home = danger zone.

If the temp gauge spikes, pull over.

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2. Set a Simple Maintenance Schedule (So Nothing Gets Missed)

Your student’s life is busy. Between classes, work, clubs, and social life, maintenance often gets ignored.

Create a simple university-year schedule:

Fall Semester (August–December)

• Oil change + filter
• AC system check
• Tire inspection
• Battery test (summer heat kills them!)

Spring Semester (January–May)

• Tire rotation
• Coolant level check
• Air filter replacement
• Brake inspection

Summer Break / Trips Home

• Full inspection
• Alignment (students love curbs…)
• Any overdue repairs

A simple schedule = no preventable breakdowns.

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3. Know the Local Hazards ASU Drivers Face

Driving at or near ASU is its own ecosystem. Here’s what stands out:

✔ Extreme heat

It strains batteries, overheats engines, and kills AC systems.

✔ Heavy freeway use

Students bounce between Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Chandler — lots of higher-speed driving.

✔ Tight parking garages

Dings, scrapes, and curb kisses are part of the “ASU experience.”
(We see it every week.)

✔ Traffic around campus

Stop-and-go traffic wears out brakes and increases oil consumption.

✔ Unpredictable schedules

Late-night shifts + late classes = more chances for unexpected car trouble.

Knowing the risks reduces stress for both parents and students.

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4. Create a “College Driver Emergency Kit”

Every ASU student should have these essentials:

• Tire pressure gauge
• Mini flashlight
• Jumper cables
• Basic first-aid kit
• Phone charger cable
• Bottled water (AZ essential!)
• A small tool kit
• Emergency contact card
• Breakdown instructions

And here’s one more that’s actually a big deal:

✔ The number of a trusted repair shop

Whether they’re in Scottsdale or Gilbert, your student needs a shop that knows their car — and treats them with the respect and clarity you expect.

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5. Teach Them the “3 Cardinal Rules of College Car Ownership”

We teach these to every first-time student who walks into CarLife:

Rule #1: Don’t ignore weird noises

Squeals, clunks, and rattles don’t fix themselves.

Rule #2: Don’t drive on warning lights

Especially oil pressure, temperature, and brake lights.

Rule #3: Know when to ask for help

CarLife is ALWAYS the safe place to ask questions — no judgement. Ever.

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6. How CarLife Helps ASU Parents Sleep Better at Night

Parents need peace of mind.
Students need convenience.

We provide both.

For Students:

• Honest, easy-to-understand explanations
• Fast turnaround
• Student-friendly pricing
• Digital vehicle inspections they can show you instantly

For Parents:

• Full transparency
• Photos + videos of every recommendation
• A shop that will never oversell
• A team who genuinely cares (because you know we do!)

Having a trusted shop makes college life smoother for everyone.

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⭐ BONUS: Free Tire Tread Depth Gauge for ASU Students

One of the biggest safety risks for college drivers is worn tires — especially in Arizona heat. Thin tread means reduced traction, higher blowout risk, and a much greater chance of sliding in rain.

To help ASU students stay safe, CarLife gives every college driver a FREE tire tread depth gauge anytime they stop by.

No appointments.
No pressure.
No purchase needed.

We’ll even show them how to use it, what each measurement means, and when it’s time to replace tires — because safety is always the first priority.

Send Your Sun Devil Back to Campus With Confidence

Whether your student is heading back to ASU full-time, commuting from home, or driving between campuses, keeping their vehicle safe is one of the biggest ways you can support their independence.

And when something feels off — or they just need a place to ask questions — CarLife is here to help every step of the way.

How’s Your CarLife? Let’s keep your Sun Devil safe on the road. 🔱💙

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Schedule an appointment today!