Activity: Basic Auto Maintenance and Safety

Become more self-reliant by learning to care for vehicles and drive safely.

Invite someone to demonstrate basic auto maintenance skills to the group. Then give the youth opportunities to practice.

The following skills and information could be included:

• Check oil level and add oil as needed.
• Replace wiper blades.
• Replace headlight and other safety light bulbs.
• Change a tire, and learn to use different types of jacks. (Include instruction that you should never crawl under a car lifted with a jack!)
• Replace a blown fuse.
• Check tire pressure and add air to a tire.
• Review what the different warning lights on the dashboard mean.

Review ideas for how youth can respond safely in different situations, such as when:

• You get a flat tire while driving.
• You find a bug in the car and need to get it out.
• You get a phone call while driving.
• The check engine light comes on.
• Someone rear-ends you at a stoplight.

Note: For safety reasons, this activity should not involve the youth actually driving. This activity is for learning maintenance and safety skills.

Please adapt activities as necessary to ensure all individuals are able to participate, belong, and contribute.

• Teach these skills using a motorbike instead of an automobile if that is the preferred method of transportation in your area.
• Include a discussion on the dangers of distracted and drowsy driving.
• Help youth understand how to be a defensive driver and anticipate the actions of other drivers and pedestrians.
• For youth who do not already have a driver’s license, review traffic signs and basic traffic safety.

Discuss safe practices youth should follow as pedestrians.

Encourage youth to talk about how what they are learning can help them and others grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity and should last just a few minutes. You could ask questions like the following:

• How can learning these skills help me be more self-sufficient and serve others?
• How can following the example of Jesus Christ help me become a safer and more responsible driver?

• Distracted Driving, Safety and Health, ChurchofJesusChrist.org
• Drowsy Driving, Safety and Health, ChurchofJesusChrist.org

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• Preserving and Protecting the Environment
• Outdoor Survival Skills
• Learning to Cook Outdoors
• Emergency Preparedness Skills