Just like that the seasons are changing. The leaves are beginning to fall and it gets dark a little earlier. This presents an opportunity for us to make you aware that October is fall Car Care Awareness month
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The Car Care Council recognizes April and October as National Car Care Awareness Months. Why? Because they know that the changes in the seasons bring changes in driving conditions. In the spring it’s the perfect time to assess any problems that the winter months may have caused to your vehicle and prepare it for the hot summer weather. In the fall however we look at more ways to prepare and protect you and your vehicle for the winter months ahead.
There are some items that we strongly recommend you have inspected before you head into the rain and snowy season.
Inspect Your Battery:
Although your battery may seem like it’s performing fine right now, a quick examination by one of our ASE Certified technicians can tell you what the actual percentage of battery life is and if you are in need of a new one. What you may not be aware of is that in the colder months the elements put added strain on your battery, causing slower starts, and possibly causing you to be stranded which is never fun, especially in the cold of winter.
Tire Condition:
Your best bet leading into the snow and sleet season is installing a good set of winter tires on your vehicle, all-season tires are a reasonably good alternative. Making sure that your vehicle is in proper alignment will prevent the tires from wearing unevenly and provide better handling in all weather conditions. Paying particular attention to the tire pressure is a good practice. In the colder temperatures air contracts reducing the tire pressure. If your car is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), never ignore the indicator light - it could be the difference between being stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire and being cozy and warm at home. If you are uncertain about the condition of your tires, having them inspected is important. At minimum the tread should be at least 5/32” going into the colder months, anything less will compromise traction and potentially cause loss of control in snowy conditions.
Wipers:
It may seem like a small detail, but when your wipers aren’t clearing the windshield properly, your visibility is diminished severely. Driving on a snow-covered road is stressful enough with perfect visibility, being able to remove the snow and ice properly is a good reason not to overlook the importance of having good winter blades to clear your view. The type of windshield washer fluid you are using is also particularly important, you want to be sure that you have a winter fluid that will withstand lower temperatures. It’s always a good practice to check that the fluid is at a good level prior to heading out into a storm.
Brakes:
At any time of year, no matter what the season it is always important to have your brakes in the best possible condition. Brakes are the number one safety concern of any vehicle and you should always be aware of their condition. In the list of priorities on your vehicle, we will always make the condition of your vehicle’s brakes the highest on our recommendations when prioritizing.
Heating/AC System:
It is obvious that you will want your heat to be in good working order, but you may question why it would be important to have your air conditioning system in good condition in the wintertime. Many people don’t realize that the Heating system does heavily rely on the A/C system to provide heat as well as defogging and defrosting functions. A vital component of the heating system is the antifreeze/coolant. A coolant flush prior to the season change will help preserve the longevity of the vehicle but also ensure the best possible performance of your heating system. Lastly, if your cabin air filter has not been replaced recently, it is a good idea to take that small step in preventing outside pollutants or additional allergens that may have formed in your system over the hot summer month from entering your vehicle