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Planning to convert the family car to your college car? Rev' up with some car care tips to get your motor running.

You might as well JUMP!
Jumper cables: You know... those wires with four clips, two on each end (positive and negative). If you were so stressed about runnin' late to your chem class that you left your lights on, you'll need these to awaken that dead battery.

First up, learn to love your battery, or at least know where it is. (Though most are under the hood, some new cars have the battery under the wheel or behind the backseat.) t's simple math: A successful jump requires two cars and two batteries. Pull the cars nose to nose, clip the cable's positive to the positive and then ground the dead car battery's negative to a metal piece of the car. Run both engines for two to three minutes to give the powered car gas to boost the dead one.

"Call me!"
Cell phone: Your cellie can be very valuable, especially if you spend a lot of time traveling between home and school. Liza Crystal, a student at the University of Delaware (Newark, DE), uses her cell to stay in contact with her parents during her drive between New Jersey and Delaware. "My parents like me to call if there's construction or if I'm stuck in traffic, so they know when to expect me. Also, if I'm driving and ever run into any trouble, I can call for help."

"Yes, it's got its privileges..."
AAA membership: For approximately $60 per year, AAA offers reassurance that no matter where you are in the United States, if you have car trouble, they can help. (It's no wonder dad's been bugging you to sign up!) Membership includes free roadside assistance, maps, and traveler's cheques - not to mention good car tips. Here's a free one from Rick Kirby, a AAA service center manager in Bloomington, IN: Make sure you schedule regular maintenance to avoid problems. "The better you take care of your car, the easier it will be in the long run."

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