Keeping your teen driver safe: National Teen Driver Safety Week

National Teen Driver Safety Week, held from October 19 to October 25, serves as a good reminder for parents and their teen drivers about potential issues beyond the obvious. While we typically focus on the dangers of speeding and distracted driving, a surprising number of hazards lurk under the hood — and in the driver’s lack of awareness or experience.

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Want to equip your young driver with the knowledge and habits that translate into safe and responsible car ownership (and driving)? Keep reading for vital information to help your teen protect themselves, passengers, other people on the road, and their car.

What is National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW)?

Established in 2007 through a Congressional resolution introduced by Congressman Charlie Dent (R- PA) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), NTDSW is an awareness campaign dedicated to preventing teen injuries and deaths on the road. Car crashes are a leading cause of death in the U.S. among teen drivers, and it was a series of tragic crashes involving high school students in the state that prompted action from the Pennsylvania lawmakers.

This week serves as an annual platform to raise awareness about the unique risks new drivers face, like inexperience, distractions, and passengers, and to promote positive actions, strong Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws, and ongoing parental involvement.

We spoke to Fred Padgett, UX Tech Product Specialist at Bosch Automotive Aftermarket, who offered the following recommendations. 

1.   What’s the best age to start teaching a teen about car maintenance?

You can start talking about basic car maintenance when they’re about 13 or 14 years old—old enough to understand cause and effect and help with hands-on tasks. Introducing concepts like the importance of tire pressure, what different dashboard lights mean, and how an air filter works lays a strong foundation for responsible car ownership later. And if your child expresses interest in vehicles when they’re younger, foster that curiosity and encourage them to help with DIY tasks at home.

2.   How can parents effectively involve their teens in the car maintenance process to teach them about car care?

Make it part of your teen’s routine and responsibility. Ask your teen to help track service intervals, read the owner’s manual, or help schedule appointments. They can also help with routine checks and research dashboard warning lights to gain a better understanding of how their car operates. Your goal isn’t just hands-on learning for your teen, but helping them develop a broader understanding of how proper maintenance supports safety and performance.

3.   What simple DIY maintenance tasks can a teen learn to do safely?

Teach your teen to check and top off fluids, check tire pressure, replace lightbulbs, and swap out wiper blades and cabin air filters. Air filters are a great beginner-friendly project. Learning how to install a cabin filter teaches basic mechanical skills and reinforces the importance of regular upkeep.

4.   What are the most critical but often overlooked vehicle maintenance tasks for a teen driver’s car?

While oil changes get the most attention, tasks like wiper blade, brake pad, and air filter replacements often get overlooked, especially by new drivers who don’t necessarily understand the role these components play in vehicle health.

5.   Besides oil changes, what should parents and teens check, and how often?

Inspect wiper blades every 6-12 months (sooner if they start to rip). Check brake pads every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or if the car makes squealing sounds or vibrates when braking. You should check the engine and cabin air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles (more frequently in dusty conditions) to maintain air quality and engine health. Spark plugs generally need attention every 30,000 miles, although higher-quality plugs, like those made from iridium, have longer lifespans. Check tire pressure and tread depth monthly to support safety and fuel efficiency. All of these simple steps go a long way in avoiding bigger issues down the road.

6.   What are the top three signs a teen should recognize that tell them their car needs maintenance?

The first (and best) defense is teaching your teen to be proactive. Tell them to report anything that looks, sounds, or feels different about their car. The top three signs that it’s time for maintenance that your teen should be able to spot are:

• Dashboard warning lights: the check engine light is the clearest signal. If your teen is tech-savvy, turn this light into a learning moment. Use a simple OBD-II code reader, which plugs into your car and generates a code to tell you the issue. Your teen can look up the code online and narrow down which part or system has a problem (if not, most auto parts stores will run the diagnostic check for free).
• Unusual noises: Encourage them to turn down the radio and listen. Sounds of squealing brakes, a clicking noise when turning, or an engine knock point to problems with the brake pads, suspension, or spark plugs.
• Changes in how the car drives: They should notice if the car feels “off.” Be on the lookout for rough idling, poor acceleration, a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency, or a spongy brake pedal. These changes usually mean deeper issues are brewing that need immediate attention.

7. What’s a good “first step” for a teen when the check engine light blinks on or they hear a strange noise?

The first thing? Plug in that onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner or code reader to pull the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and other data from the car’s engine and transmission systems. Even some entry-level OBD scanners show oxygen sensor performance or readiness monitors. More advanced monitors can monitor real-time performance or reset the check-engine light after you fix the issue (if you’re a DIY mechanic). If you don’t have a scanner, take the car to your mechanic or an autobody store and ask them to run a diagnostic, and then make plans to address the issue.

Common mistakes teens make that can lead to costly repairs later

The most common mistakes teen drivers make include driving too closely to other cars, having tunnel vision or being distracted while driving, and not wearing seatbelts, said Padgett. Each one of these mistakes can lead to accidents, injury and/or expensive repairs.

Combining those mistakes with passive errors like neglecting basic maintenance can shorten a car’s lifespan or add up to more expensive repair bills. Even something as simple as a clogged engine air filter reduces fuel efficiency and strains the engine over time. Procrastinating over these small, routine tasks increases wear and tear on critical components and leads to bigger problems later, he said.

Choosing the right car for your teen

Buying a car for your teen? Confirm it’s safe and roadworthy first. Take it to your trusted mechanic for a comprehensive inspection, covering brakes, tires, suspension, fluids, lights, and engine components to check for wear or damage. Use an OBD-II code reader to uncover hidden issues that wouldn’t surface during a test drive.

Replacing any worn components (brake pads, spark plugs, air filters, wiper blades) will give your teen a fresh start in their “new” car. “Because shopping for vehicle parts is overwhelming, even for DIY’ers, I always recommend that drivers choose original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts,” said Padgett. “These are the same parts the car manufacturer installed when the car was built, so you can trust your teen’s car has the same quality and safety.”

If you choose to purchase replacement parts online, be cautious. Many parts suppliers use confusing language to make you think you’re buying an OEM or OEM equivalent part. Read the entire ad and details thoroughly to identify the actual supplier, Padgett said.

Final takeaways

Paying attention to unusual car noises is one of the easiest ways for you or your teen to notice trouble.

• Squealing or grinding when you brake means your pads are worn and need attention.
• Knocking or pinging noises could indicate spark plug or ignition issues.
• Clicking or clunking sounds when you turn could mean suspension or CV joint wear.
• Whistling or hissing might signal air leaks in hoses or intake systems.

The most proactive thing you can do? Ask your teen to turn off the music for a minute or two when they drive, listen to their car, and report back any unusual sounds. This simple step can identify minor issues before they escalate into expensive problems or worse—result in a broken-down car on the side of the road and a stranded kid waiting for help.