It is officially Fall and that means it is time for all things that this season has to offer such as multi-colored leaves, pumpkin spice, and apple cider. Not all the changes of this time of year are as exciting though, for example, the weather and road conditions. Therefore, you will need to make sure that your vehicle is ready to take on the Fall by checking over a few key systems to see what may need maintenance or updating. Below we have a few tips from the Car Care Council to help you get your vehicle in top shape as the seasons change.
1.) Windshield Wiper Blades – Wiper blades are especially important during the fall and winter months as you are clearing leaves, frost, and eventually, snow off your window. Take a moment to look at the condition your blades are in at the start of the season so that you don’t have to struggle with ineffective blades later when you really need them.
2.) Tires – Tires are other key vehicle parts that you might want to look into replacing during the fall. Once again, these next few months will bring more severe weather and you want to make sure that your tires have the traction to keep you traveling steadily on those icy and snow-covered roads. Make sure the tread depth of your tires is still optimal and be sure to have them rotated and realigned.
3.) HVAC System – Since we are just coming off the summer the odds are that you have it tested out the heating system in your car recently. Make sure you turn on the heat and check that everything is filtering and ventilating properly. You would rather spot a problem now rather than realize your car is not warming up once the temperature really starts to drop.
4.) Brakes – Check the fluid levels to see that they are all properly filled and look for signs of wear on the drums, rotors, and linings.
5.) Battery and Charging System – Car batteries tend to need replacing every few years so if yours is more than three years old then you should definitely have it tested. Check its effectiveness and look for signs of corrosion while also making sure all the connections are clean and tight. This is important because the last thing you want to be faced with on a cold morning is a vehicle that won’t start because the battery is dead.
Einsure, EINSURANCE | E-Insurance |. “Car Care & Safety Tips for Autumn Driving.” EINSURANCE.com. N.p., 08 Sept. 2014. Web. 20 Sept. 2016. <http://www.einsurance.com/journal/car-care-and-safety-tips-for-autumn-driving/>.
