5 Easy Service Tips to Prepare Your Car for Fall
September is a very busy time for family and friends, and it’s easy to fall behind on car maintenance as work resumes and kids go back to school. So we’re bringing back our friendly service tip reminders with some great tips on maintenance checks for Autumn. Why wait until the weather gets stormy, slippery, and you’re stuck in the lurch? Prevent accidents and issues before they happen.Be sure to schedule an appointment with your local service center and trusted mechanic, and ask them to start on these great checkpoints.
Cooling System - As the temperatures in Autumn tend to fluctuate from mild heat waves during the day and dropping at night, it’s important you check your cooling system hoses, belts, and connections. Ensure that your AC Unit, Radiator, and other cooling system parts receive tune-ups before major issues arise. Switching back and forth between heating and cooling is normal for the first few weeks of autumn, so be sure everything receives proper maintenance.
Heat/Defrost Features - Although we’re just bidding farewell to Summer, it’s important to check your heating and defrosting system before the cold weather necessitates. Mid to Late Autumn can see a decrease in temperature including frosty temperatures at night. Save yourself a lot of time and worry in your already hectic mornings by not having to add scraping frost to your task list. Ensure that your heat and defrost vents are free, clear, and functioning at optimal condition before cold weather hits!
Steering and Suspension - Inclement weather conditions such as fog, rain, flash flooding, and even fallen debris from trees can lead a driver to stop short in an instant. Be sure that your steering and suspension have had a thorough inspection by your trusted mechanic. It is recommended you have an alignment now, before winter weather strikes, to ensure that you have accurate steering and suspension. Replace any worn or damaged parts immediately, don’t wait until slippery conditions cause an accident!
Tires and Tread Depth - There’s nothing more unpleasant than hydroplaning in a sunshower or catching a pile of fallen wet leaves while trying to stop short. Ensure that you can stop on a dime with properly inflated tires and reasonable tread depth. Switch out your summer tires for all-season or winter tires before the late autumn hits, to prevent accidents from improper road grip. Remember to also monitor your tire pressure and ensure they’re properly inflated; change in seasonal temperatures of up to 10 degrees can cause immense changes to a tire pressure. Inflate according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, and prevent accidents due to slipping, sliding, or flat tires.
Windshield Wipers - We’re going to remind you of the importance of fully functional, pristine wiper blades with every seasonal change. Clear visibility and streak-free windshields are a vital part of your automotive safety, and can prevent major accidents due to poor vision. Early Autumn Thunderstorms are the worst time to get caught with damaged wiper blades. Check your wiper blades and replace any damaged blades immediately. Consider also adding an application of hydrophobic coating such as RainX to your windshield for increased visibility.
