October is Fall Car Care month; an excellent time to make sure your vehicle is ready for winter. Extreme temperatures – hot or cold – have an affect on your vehicle. If you haven’t kept up with periodic maintenance or you have an older vehicle, it’s especially important to make certain your vehicle is ready for the task of driving in rain, snow and sleet. Breaking down on a cold winter day isn’t fun, especially if it happens during a winter storm. Here are some car care tips to help make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving:
Windshield: Don’t wait until a winter storm to find out you need new wiper blades. It’s also important to take care of any small cracks you may have in your windshield. Changes in temperature can cause a minor ding or crack to become a major crack.
Fluids: As with changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles (schedules differ for synthetics), every fluid in your vehicle has a recommended replacement schedule. Our technicians can let you know the best car care schedule for your vehicle. Check your fluids regularly – antifreeze, transmission, power steering, and brake – to make sure they are in good condition and at the proper levels. Also, don’t forget to top off windshield washer fluid!
Batteries and Corroded Cables: Cold, winter mornings can kill an older battery. The average life of a battery is around 4 years. If your battery is older than that, you should probably have it replaced. Clean battery corrosion on cables.
Tires: Worn, bald, badly aligned or unbalanced tires can pose serious risks when driving on wet, icy or snow-filled roads. In colder temperatures, it’s a good idea to check tread depth, wear and inflation once a month. Have your tires replaced before they pose a safety hazard. Have tires rotated and wheels aligned on a regular schedule.
All Parts Rubber: Rubber hoses and belts can undergo a lot of wear and tear. As they get older and are exposed to the elements, rubber parts weaken and can crack, split or bulge. Inspect these parts on a regular schedule (we do this for you when you bring your vehicle to use for maintenance) and replace any belts or hoses, as needed.
Brakes: Don’t postpone needed brake work. You want to be able to safely stop your vehicle. For signs you may need a brake job, click on our Brake Repairs page.
Lights: Visibility is always important, but it becomes an even greater factor when the daylight hours are shorter. Replace any bulbs that aren’t working.
The easiest way to make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving is to bring it to Geller’s Automotive in Stanhope, New Jersey. Our technicians will assist you with your car care by leting you know if there are any problems that need your immediate attention and if there are issues that should be taken care of in the near future.
Give us a call or click here to make an appointment on-line with Geller’s Automotive right now.
