Prepare Your College Student's Car for the New Semester

The new college semester has begun. Your student may have their dorm room decked out and their academic supplies all checked off, but have you taken a closer look at their car? College students can spend a lot of time in their car between the commute to campus, weekend trips, and journeys home. Make sure their cars are ready to drive safely with the following checklist:

Maintenance Check-up

A routine maintenance checkup will help your child’s car perform like it should on the road. Get everything from the brake pads and engine to fluid levels to airbags checked. Do the whole gamut to make it safe for those short rides from the dorm to the coffee shop or for those long rides home. Guarantee their safety by reminding them to get it routinely checked.

Teach Them About Car Maintenance

Even though help can be a phone call away, you don’t want your young adult to be without the skills necessary get them out of a pinch. Teach them how to change their own oil, how to change a flat tire, how to check tire pressure, when to take a car in for maintenance, etc. These essential skills will help them feel safer and more capable on the road.

Talk About Car Loans and Insurance

If your child bought their car or is in the process of doing so, talk about the responsibilities that come with it. Help them work towards financing a car on their own or developing good credit if they need an auto loan. This will be an excellent opportunity to help them understand financial responsibility before they head to the next phase of their life. Also, search for student discounts on car insurance for money-saving incentives.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Emergencies happen. Prepare your student by having an emergency stash in their trunk. Keep an extra phone charger or battery, a first aid kit, reflective triangles, flares, a lighter, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, a multipurpose tool, a tow rope, water, snacks, and whatever else works for your climate. In the winter, pack extra blankets, warm clothing, a shovel, a windshield ice scraper/snow brush, and cat litter. This can seem like a lot, but being prepared for the worst will help your child in the event of an emergency.

If your family is in the market for a car for your student or is in need of a thorough service check, contact Kuehn Motors today.

The Best Cars for College Students

Whether you are helping your child finance their first car or gifting your scholar with a car for graduation, your search for a car will likely revolve around cost-efficiency, fuel-efficiency, comfort, spaciousness, and maybe a little bit of fun. To help you on your search, check out our list of the best cars for college students below:

Chevrolet Equinox

Best for Space and Comfort

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox LS SUV is an excellent option for music students carrying equipment, for the team sports captain lugging training equipment, and for the students who love to drive home multiple loads of laundry at Christmas break. An affordable crossover, this vehicle is spacious on the interior, compact on the exterior and comes with great amenities that include all-wheel drive, rear bench seats, and a V6 power engine.

Great for Fuel Efficiency

Our 2015 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT Auto Sedan boasts a high city and highway fuel economy in the 30 mpg range that is sure to save your college student on trips from home to campus and back again. Compact and modest, this car is an excellent starter car for your scholar.

Toyota Camry

Best to Take Them Through Grad School

If you are looking for the best in reliability and practicality, look to the 2014 Toyota Camry Sedan. User-friendly, this car is equipped with high-tech capabilities for entertainment and safety. With an especially quiet cabin, high safety ratings, and comfortable seating, you can trust the Toyota Camry to take your child from undergrad to their PH.D.

Hyundai Elantra

Best for the Recent Grad

If you have recently graduated and entered the workforce, there’s a good chance you want to splurge a little and treat yourself to a new ride. With a limited budget, what would be the best vehicle for you? Check out the 2016 Hyundai Elantra SE Sedan. Practical and affordable, this sleek car is excellent on fuel economy at 37 mpg on the highway. There’s plenty safety features including electronic stability, dual front impact airbags, and brake assist.

If a new car is on the back-to-school list this year, use our guide on the best cars for college students to make the smartest and most economical choice. We have new vehicles arriving daily, so visit Kuehn Motor Company to look at more options and to see what your best financing deals could be.

Spring Break Road Trips

With spring break just around the corner, it’s time to start planning. There is nothing like hitting the road with friends or family on a quest to get to the ultimate vacation spot, but a lot of planning needs to be done before you get in your car and take off. To make traveling easier, follow these eight road trip hacks that are guaranteed to make the perfect trip:

1. Make a plan ahead of time. Since most roadtrippers have a timeline for when they would like to arrive at their vacation destination, it is smart to plan which cities you will be staying at each night. Also, plan out how many hours you will be driving each day. Do not to exceed more than eight hours per day.

2. Pack light. There will be plenty of things you may want to buy when you arrive at your destination. Wouldn’t it be a bummer if you could not fit your new items in your car? Packing light also gives everyone in the car more space while driving.

3. Don’t pack a lot of electronics. Yes, road trips can get boring , but they are an adventure in themselves. Put away your myriad of devices and stay in the moment. Talk with the people in your car, point out scenery, listen to music, or make up games. You’ll soak in the sights around you much better without electronic distractions.

4. Leave early or at night. This one mainly applies to those travelling with children. Children can get antsy in a car for long periods of time. Leaving extra early in the morning or late at night helps children sleep for most of the ride.

5. Ask a local where to eat. It is hard to know where to eat in unfamiliar territory. That is why it is always best to ask a local where to eat when you enter a new town. The locals will most likely their favorite place and can give much better advice than a website or guidebook.

6. Take pictures. Do’nt just take pictures and selfies for your social media accounts, take them to remember the experience. Take them during every part of your road trip. Even though you are not at your vacation spot when you are driving, the road trip is just as much a part of your vacation as the actual vacation spot - document the moments.

7. Embrace the gas station. A road trip requires you to stop at numerous gas stations. Do not dread the stop, embrace it. Check if the station has your favorite snack or a ice cream. See who can find the best out-of-state gas station knick-knacks. Try to make stopping at the gas station a positive experience rather than a negative experience.

8. Be safe. As we have already said, do not drive past eight hours per day. You want to stay fresh and alert while driving. Don’t forget to bring healthy snacks, pull over if you feel tired, and bring a first aid kit in case of injuries. Being prepared will be the best tool to keep you safe during your road trip.

The most important tip of all for spring break road trips is to have fun! If you plan ahead of time and remember these tips, you will have a much more enjoyable trip. Safe travels!

Graduating From College? These Are The Best Vehicles For Recent Grads

As a student fresh out of college, you’ve probably spent the past four years memorizing the bus schedule or driving around in your old high school beater car. Now, it’s time to turn in the books, and the rusted car keys, for your first job as a college graduate. You may not be able to afford a flashy sports car or a brand new SUV right out of school, but now that you’re in the professional world, it’s time to get a more reliable, nicer looking, used vehicle.

Our list includes a wide range of vehicles that we have in stock at Kuehn Motors to fit any recent graduates’ needs. Whether you need something that gets great gas mileage or if you want something roomier, we have you covered at Kuehn!


2011 AUDI A4 2.0T PREMIUM PLUS  

This used Audi will turn heads wherever you go. It’s a sport sedan with a sleek design and features great fuel economy and a Titanium Sport Package. If you are looking for luxury, but are still on a budget, this Audi is the right car for you.

 2011 Buick Regal CXL RL3

You may not realize this is a Buick with a first glance. The sporty sedan is a smooth and reliable ride, perfect for college graduates at a great price. The car has a full range of standard convenience and safety features in a fashionable package. With low miles and a superior maintenance record, this car won’t be on our lot for very long!






2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport Fleet LTZ

Are you looking for something roomier and all wheel drive? This Chevy Captiva handles great in the winter with solid steering, superior acceleration and increased stability and safety. With the dependability of Chevrolet, this is the perfect SUV to help you transition from college life and even into family life. This model is equipped with some of the most amazing wheels the market has to offer -- and you’ll realize it as soon as you take it for a test drive!



No matter what your needs are, we offer a wide range of models and makes of vehicles to fit exactly what you need. Congratulations to the class of 2014 and upcoming class of 2015!