I know it’s technically still summer but before you know it, Fall will be among us and one thing that I’ve learned is that you should always be prepared. The days will be getter shorter and driving conditions will also start to change. So a good way to stay on top of things is to get started early.
Keep you car in good working order this fall. Here are three ways to make sure that your car is ready for the fall.
3 Quick Fall Car Care Tips
Do a Quick Check on your wiper blades.
Wiper blades are often overlooked and taken for granted until you need them. They however are one of the most used pieces of equipment on your car. A new set of blades during Autumn will get you through the fall, winter, spring and summer. A good tip one dealership shared is that usually when it’s time to replace them, they?ll streak or even leave large patches of moisture when used, and they may even ?chatter? as they move across your windshield. Replacing the blades is a simple process; your local auto parts store will carry a wide range of blades, and will be able to help?you find the blades that will fit your your car. You can also get them from a dealership in your area.
Check and Change Your Fluids.
As temperatures cool, it?s a good time to make sure that all of your car?s fluids are clean and topped off. When temperatures drop, the fluids in your car can become more viscous, or thicker ? which may cause them to move more slowly through the engine. It?s especially good to drain and replace your coolant if you live in areas that experience extreme temperature swings from summer to fall and into winter. Coolant isn?t JUST coolant ? there?s water added to it, and that ratio of water to coolant will typically be higher in the summer. In the winter, the ratio of water to coolant should be 40:60 (or 40% water, 60% coolant).?
Check Your Tires.
Tires are perhaps the most important part of your car. As the weather starts to change, you should make sure that the tread on your tires is still up to par. An easy tip from a Michigan car dealer shares an easy way to do this: all you need is a penny. Insert the penny with Lincoln?s head upside down and facing you into your tire?s tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln?s head, it?s time to replace that tire ? the tread is less than 2/32 of an inch, and the tire is not safe to drive on.?Don?t be surprised if your tires start to look a bit deflated. As temperatures drop, so does the the air pressure inside your tire ??the pressure inside your tire will drop about 1 psi (pound per square inch) for every 10 degrees that the outside air temp drops.?
These three quick fixes will go a long way in keeping you safe on the road this fall.?
Back To School: Car Tips For College Bound Students
Back-to-school time can be very busy for students and parents alike. One item that should be on the top of the to-do lists is car care maintenance. Whether they?re attending high school or heading off to college, this can be a great time to have a maintenance check performed to help get your student?s car ready for the school season. C
Making sure the college-bound vehicle gets a passing grade will give both the student and their parents peace of mind for the drive back to school. It?s always a good idea to inspect a vehicle and have any repairs done?near home, at a familiar repair shop?.
Consider this car care checklist to help get your student?and their car?ready for a great school year.
The Car Care Council recommends that the following items be checked before hitting the road:
?? Tires and tire pressure
???Hoses and belts
???Air filters
???Wipers
???Exterior and interior lighting
???Fluid levels, including engine oil, power steering, brake, transmission, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant
In addition, a through tune-up should also be performed, which includes inspecting the following systems: battery, charging and starting; engine mechanical; power train control; fuel; ignition; and emissions. For extra safety, vehicles should have a roadside emergency kit that includes items such as flares, a first aid kit, a tire-changing jack, a tire pressure gage, jumper cables and a blanket.
Following these ten tips will go a long way to reducing maintenance costs, increasing your car?s reliability and protecting your family members during the coming school year.
