10 FALL CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS

Did you know your car drives differently in each season? There are many environmental factors that affect your car and they way it drives, such as temperature, precipitation, road conditions, and mileage. As the seasons change, so do the environmental conditions. Smart car owners adjust their maintenance routines and even the way they drive according to the seasons and weather. Here are 10 Fall Car Maintenance Tips to help you be abetter informed driver, and to increase the life, value, and fuel efficiency of your car or truck!

1.    Any local parts store can test your car’s battery for free! If it appears to be running low on juice, they will usually also install a new one for free if you purchase in store. Fall is a great time to do this, before you get stranded in the cold with a dead battery.

2.    Just because your brakes are working doesn’t mean they are in good shape. If the brake pads are worn at all they can damage the entire brake system, not to mention cause you serious problems when the snow and ice arrive in a few months.

3.    Test out your car’s heating system - even if it’s still warm outside. If it smells strange or doesn’t seem to be getting hot very quickly, you may need to get it looked at. Do it now before you’re freezing in your car during an early morning commute.

4.    Check your car’s tire pressure when it’s cold for the most accurate reading. Sometimes you or an auto shop will test tire pressure after a drive and get a normal reading, but it’s actually due to the tire’s air heating up during the friction and action of driving. Low pressure may still be a problem.

5.    Once you’ve done your own car assessment, take it in for an oil change even if it isn’t quite due. It’s a very affordable way to prevent costly repairs and car disasters in the future.

6.    Cold weather can affect your tire’s pressure by 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change. This means if it drops more than 10 degrees you may be driving on threateningly low tire pressure. Keep your tires full and check them regularly to avoid a tire disaster on a cold and icy road.

7.    Check your tire’s tread for uneven wear by sticking a quarter or other small object into the grooves in multiple spots on the same tire. If you live in a particularly wet and slippery area, now is the time to consider snow tires.

8.    Washer Fluid can help melt frost and ice from windshields in a pinch - although it should not be relied upon as a primary ice removal method. Make sure your washer fluid is topped off with an anti-freezing solution before the icy rain starts.

9.    Did you know it only costs $10-20 for brand new, top of the line wiper blades? This is an easy, affordable upgrade that you can make to your car this fall all by yourself.

10.  Using a fuel additive like CleanBoost Maxx can keep your engine running cleaner and improve your fuel efficiency during the fall and winter months, meaning fewer trips to the gas station and preventing emergency trips to the auto shop for repairs or maintenance.