How To Prepare Your Car For The Fall
First comes oil – then comes rain. This creates a sure recipe for slippery road conditions.
Here are a few tips to prepare your car for the changing weather…
With more rain, that means more mud and sludge. What happens with mud? Tires get stuck. Keep an old garden tool set and a bag of loose gravel or kitty litter in your trunk. This is a fast and easy solution to help create some traction when needed (also good to help with icy roads).
Balding tires? Oil leaks? Get these problems fixed, immediately! These are common causes of hydroplaning related accidents….. Good tires equal safe driving.
It’s easy to take your wiper blades for granted, but they’re one of the most-used pieces of equipment on your car. Windshield wiper blades do wear down with use and age – and even if you don’t use them very often, hot, dry weather can actually speed up wear. Autumn is a good time to replace them.
Better yet, go for regular lube, oil and filter – maintenance checks, so you don’t have to deal with leaks. If your tires are balding, you would likely be advised by the mechanic. Most car maintenance shops will check your pressures, turn signals and other important little things we forget to look at ourselves. Regular maintenance doesn’t cost a lot of money, lack of maintenance can leave you having a much bigger problem… For best results, get your fluids checked every 3 months or every 3000 mile.
By budgeting $100, per season, you will save thousands over the long-run.
If you prefer the ‘do-it-yourself’ approach, that’s fine too. Just make sure to stay on top of your fluids and tire pressures. Even with an old beater, proper maintenance will keep everything in good working order. Remember to replace your wipers at least once per year (twice for best results). Yes, clean windshields do help with the good maintenance thing! It’s always good to check your spare tire, at least once or twice per year.
How are your brakes doing? Brakes are imperative to stay on top of as well. When the sun is shining we accelerate – when it rains or snows – there is definitely an increase of brake pumping… Get your brakes checked, often (more so, if you live on a hill).
Keep on top of the little things and drive with ease this fall, knowing you are well prepared. Plus, you’ll know a thing or two about a thing or two… Share with your friends, they’ll thank you for it.
