Car Maintenance Tips to Get Your Car Ready For Fall

It's time to get your vehicle ready for the change in temperatures. Fall brings warm days and cold nights, and the daily variations in temp can have an adverse effect on your vehicle. Give it what it needs to succeed this season. Follow these car care tips to ensure that you stay on top of your vehicle maintenance this Fall.

As the weather starts to get colder, we must prepare our vehicles for the change in temperature. You don't want to find yourself stranded this time of year, particularly when the issue could have been avoided with regular maintenance. Your local service experts at Gene Steffy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram have put together a list of components that may need your attention to get you through the cold season.

• Cooling System- Your cooling system does double duty this time of year. It keeps the vehicle cool while getting you where you need to be, and it keeps the vehicle from freezing during the cold nights. A well-working cooling system needs little maintenance. However, it should be checked often, just to ensure that everything is working at its full potential. The coolant should be full, the system should be leak free, cooling fans should be working, and the heater core should be functional.
• Engine Oil- When the vehicle sits, oil drains into the oil pan. Upon start up the engine has little to no oil stuck to the sides to keep it protected. This is when most of the engine wear occurs. Keep engine oil clean during the winter, as its lubrication properties are minimized when it dirty, and it will cling to the inside of your engine block better when clean. The fresher your oil is, the better job it will do protecting your engine while cold.
• Tires- Winter means harsh weather, and your safety on the road is largely dependent on your tires. Ensure that your tires are designed for the conditions in your area. Also check that the tread is thicker than 2/32nds of an inch. Keep tire pressure regulated monthly if needed.
• Windshield Wipers- Test your windshield wipers now, so you know if they're starting to wear out. Replace them before you find yourself stuck in a storm with limited visibility. Any problem with the wiper blades, or malfunctions with the wiper motors or switch need to be addressed before weather gets worse.
• Brakes- Have your brakes inspected to ensure that they are going to last through the winter. If they are going to need changing soon, consider getting the work done now. Make sure that your brake pads have plenty of braking material, and that your brake fluid is full and in good condition.
• Spark Plugs- Colder temperatures can make it hard for your vehicle to want to start in the mornings. Having fresh spark plugs will help ensure that your vehicle has what it needs to perform.

Fall car maintenance is about getting your vehicle prepared for the winter. The change in seasons should be a reminder for you to have regularly scheduled maintenance performed, and to perform any tune-up type repairs that you may have been putting off. Contact your local experts at Gene Steffy Chrysler Dodge Jeep for more help with your vehicle, and more car care tips to maximize your vehicle's performance this season.

References:

None