As the calendar turns to October and the start of fall is upon us, now is a good reminder that October is Fall Car Care Month.
October is a good time to assess the condition of your car and determine if it needs maintenance. It’s been through a long summer with continued exposure to the hot weather, and maybe a long trip or two mixed in. Now is the time to take your car in for any work that may need to be done before the winter weather arrives. It feels a long way off right now, but the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting that two-thirds of the country will encounter a colder-than-normal winter season.
With that in mind, October’s a good time to get your car inspected at Milex Complete Auto Care / Mr. Transmission of Cary before the winter weather and holidays arrive.
Here are some things that should be checked out during Fall Car Care Month.
Fluids. It isn’t just engine oil, but the power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and of course, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
Hoses and belts. They shouldn’t be cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or looking dried out or shiny.
Battery. You really don’t want to see your battery die, especially when the weather turns colder as we approach winter. Stop by and have one of our technicians perform a battery condition test.
Brakes. Braking performance will gradually decrease over time. Make sure they’re inspected and can stop the car quickly and safely in case of an emergency.
The exhaust system. You will want to look for any kind of leaks and damage. This is the sort of thing that can permanently damage your car if it isn’t repaired.
The engine. Your engine’s performance needs to be checked because you want to make sure it is delivering the best balance of power and fuel economy and producing the lowest level of emissions.
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning. By the end of the summer, you will know the status of your air conditioning. You want to make sure your heat works before it gets cold and that your system has the working ventilation settings for fresh air and recirculated.
Steering and suspension system. Shock absorbers, struts, ball joints and other items should be inspected at least once a year.
Tires. The tire pressure should be checked to make sure it meets the vehicle recommended pressure. Check your driver’s door jamb for the proper tire pressures. The tire tread needs to be inspected to make sure you have a safe amount of tread. If you have uneven wear, you may need a wheel alignment. Look for bald spots on the tire. If you’re driving on wintery roads later, worn or bald tires can be extremely dangerous.
Wipers and lighting. It only takes a minute to check, but make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid, and your wipers are in good condition with no cracks or rips. Do a quick 360 around the car to make sure each of your lights are in proper working order.
Be sure to take some time this month to make sure your car has made it through the extended summer heat and is prepared to brave the elements of winter. Come by Milex Complete Auto Care / Mr. Transmission of Cary to have your vehicle inspected, you will reduce the risk of a problem down the road, especially if that road is covered with snow and ice.