Vehicle Maintenance for This Fall

With the changing of the seasons, it’s important for you to stay on top of your vehicle care! As the weather starts to get cooler and wetter, there are certain steps you should take to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the winter months.

Here are just a few examples of fall vehicle maintenance steps you should take with the assistance of a trusted auto mechanic in Lubbock, TX:

• Check your battery: When you go in for a vehicle tune-up, make sure the technicians check the status of your battery. They should be able to determine its remaining charge. Even local auto parts stores are often able to check your battery life free of charge, but it makes sense to do it as part of a full vehicle inspection.
• Tire pressure: As air temperature changes, it’s important to get a reading on your tire pressure. Many vehicle systems today will tell you when your tire pressure gets low, but older vehicles might not have this feature, meaning you should have a tire pressure gauge kept in your vehicle so you can check every now and then. You should always check your tire pressure while the tires are cold, before you start driving, as heat from friction will affect the reading on the gauge. As a general rule, expect air pressure to decrease 1 or 2 psi for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Make sure you always keep your tire pressure at the specified amount as determined by the manufacturer in your vehicle owner’s manual and in the door jamb.
• Tire condition: It’s not just the pressure in the tires that you need to consider, but also their general condition. How much tread are you working with? Does there appear to be any damage or uneven wear? You’re going to want to make sure your tires are in good shape during the winter months when the roads are more likely to get slick.
• Brakes: Check your brake pads and make sure there’s still plenty of pad left to provide the resistance you need when braking. Driving on worn brake pads will reduce the effectiveness of your brakes and also potentially result in damage to other parts of your braking system, such as the rotors.
• Fluids: Check all fluid levels, including oil, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid and antifreeze. Change or add fluids as needed to keep your vehicle operating as efficiently as possible.
• HVAC: Check the HVAC system to make sure your heating and cooling systems are working properly so you can remain comfortable in your vehicle’s cabin.
• Lights: Check all lights to make sure they’re working properly. You’re going to be using your lights more frequently in the winter as the days get shorter and as precipitation becomes more common. This means headlights, taillights, brake lights and blinkers should all be functioning properly.

For more information about the fall maintenance you should perform on your vehicle, or to schedule an appointment with an auto mechanic in Lubbock, TX, reach out to M & M Tire & Service Center.

Categorised in: Mechanic

This post was written by Writer