A thorough inspection of your vehicle during the fall months will go a long way toward ensuring safety and dependability when temperatures drop and severe winter weather strikes. A routine maintenance program also makes financial sense, extending useful vehicle life and helping avoid costly repairs down the road.
Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, we recommend these 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle operating at its best:
Check all fluids, including engine oil and antifreeze/coolant, power steering, brake and transmission fluid, as well as the windshield washer solvent.
Check the hoses to make sure they are firm and there are no signs of leaks, and check the belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.
Check the battery, or have it tested if necessary. Make sure the connections are clean, tight and corrosion-free.
Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums visually inspected at each oil change.
Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.
Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for proper heating and cooling performance as it is critical for interior comfort and safety reasons such as windshield defrosting.
Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.
Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread depth. Uneven may indicate a need for a wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.
October is Car Safety Month, the perfect time to fall into a vehicle maintenance program and get your car ready for the challenges of harsh winter weather.