Waterloo Automotive

When it comes to teenagers, it may seem like they’re nocturnal—always wanting to stay up later and sleep well into the morning (or afternoon). It’s just part of being a kid, and we’ve all been there at some point. But when it comes to teens, a late bedtime can become a problem when school is in session. Whether they go to bed at 10:00 p.m. or 1:00 a.m., the alarm will still go off at 6:00, and it will be up to them to suffer the consequences. Falling Asleep While Driving Unfortunately, part of those consequences can and do involve auto accidents. Already the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers in America, drowsiness only adds fuel to an already burning fire as teenagers stumble out of bed, get behind the wheel and take a dangerous drive with half-open eyes. According to research from Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), teens who average less than eight hours of sleep a night are twice as lik ... read more

As a parent, one of the most important things you can do for your teen driver is teaching them how to pack an emergency car kit. Chances are your teen will want to drive their car everywhere, even to locations that are just a few blocks down the road. For teens, driving is a matter of independence. As parents, it is your job to stress that this form of independence comes with responsibilities, like creating an emergency car kit. Emergency Car Kit Checklist To keep things simple, Meyer’s Automotive has created a checklist of items your teen should include in their emergency car kit. Spare Tire Having a spare tire in the car may seem like a given, but you would be surprised to learn how many people drive around without this crucial emergency car kit component. In the event that one of your kid’s tires does blow, a spare tire will usually ensure that your teen can get their vehicle to a safe location, where the damaged tire can ... read more

Driving in the city can be stressful. You may be in an unfamiliar area with more cars, more pedestrians and intense traffic. What to do when you find yourself venturing through the city (your own or a new one)? Have a strategy! Be prepared for your city driving excursion, and you’ll make it to your destination with your car in tact and a relaxed attitude. When you’re getting ready to do more city driving, you’ll need some guidelines to make it easier. That’s why we’ve made this list of city driving tips. City Driving TipsPlan your route
Know where you’re going- including the addresses and phone numbers of each location. Instead of just knowing you’re meeting a friend at a sushi place on Marigold Street for dinner, have the details saved somewhere. Write the address on a piece of paper or save it on your phone so you know that you’re heading to “Crazy Sushi” at 124 Marigold Street. The more details, the better. Avoid r
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Are you ready for prom? Last time we started a list about making prom night fun and memorable. It’s so easy to get stressed out when you’re trying to coordinate a group. Where should you take pictures, where will you get dinner, who is driving, and what will you wear?! This year, don’t get freaked out. We’ve already talked about making a schedule for the day and picking a driver for the night. Check out the rest of our tips for a fun prom night! Check out the first three prom night tips.4. Buckle up
We know you don’t want to wrinkle that handsome tux or beautiful dress, but they will hold up fine! Keep your seat belt on no matter who is driving- it’s worth it. 5. Get Your Car Ready
If you do drive, make sure your car is ready. Give it a thorough check. How are the tires, windshield wiper fluid and oil? Have a mechanic give a chec

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Are you counting down to prom yet? We’re betting that you might have the perfect dress already, and maybe you’ve made plans for after prom. Planning for prom is exciting- it’s not only a fun night, but it’s a clue that the end of the school year is near! Prom can be a fun night that you’ll remember for years, but it can also turn into a horrible memory. Every year, newscasters have to share the details of accidents that took place on prom night. Too many young adults lose their life too early because of prom night excitement. This year, make sure prom is a night you’ll want to remember. Prom night can be stressful- planning who you’ll go with, where you’ll have dinner, and what you’ll all do after the dance. Make it fun from start to finish. If you have a plan, there will be less stress. You’ll be able to focus on having a good time. Here are the first 3 tips for making prom night fun. Our next post will cover the rest! 1. Make a Schedule ... read more

The next month and a half is supposed to be considered the most wonderful time of the year because of the holidays. But we all know that also means a lot of time with your family. For those of you college students coming home for Thanksgiving and winter break, you may have a big wake up call in regards to your personal space and your freedom. Here are some tips to help balance your expectations with your parents’ expectations. Prioritize – You will want to see your friends during the holidays but you also need to prioritize family time. If you go to a local college, prioritize seeing friends who may have moved out of state and are back for a short amount of time. If you went far away from home for college, consider getting a group of friends together so you get to see many people at once to limit the amount of time you are away from home.
Remember that your family will want to see you just as much, if not more, as your friends do. Your parents are u
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Apparently, we as Americans are starting to get the picture when it comes to parenting. According to a study conducted by two economists from the University of California San Diego, the amount of time parents are spending with their kids today has risen dramatically when compared to earlier generations. The study, which analyzed how Americans used their time during different periods from 1965 to 2007, revealed that, since the mid-1990s, the level of parental involvement with their children had almost doubled for both men and women, working or not. And when it comes to the health and well-being of our kids today, that’s wonderful news! Time and time again research has shown that children whose parents take an active role in their lives experience tremendous emotional, mental and physical benefits. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, teens whose parents were present when they went to bed, woke up and came home from school were less likely to ex ... read more