Can you believe it’s already fall? Now is the time to get your car, truck, or SUV ready for winter. You want to make sure you don’t end up stranded on a cold, icy road. Meadows Automotive can help with your fall vehicle maintenance. Here are six services we recommend and why.
Fall Vehicle Maintenance
Battery Check
Batteries are hit hard during winter weather. This is why your vehicle is more likely to need a jumpstart in the winter more than any other time of the year. Cold weather reduces the chemical reaction between the lead plates, battery acid, and water inside your battery, so now is a good time to have the battery checked and replace it before winter hits. A new battery will fare better in cold weather.
Fluid Check
Vehicle fluids, especially antifreeze and motor oil, should be checked in the fall and flushed and replaced where necessary. Antifreeze helps prevent your engine from freezing in the winter, especially if you have to park your vehicle outside. Motor oil needs to be fresh to properly lubricate engine parts in frigid weather. Old oil is not effective and can freeze up itself, leaving you with serious engine damage.
Heater Test
You don’t want to get into your cold automobile in the morning, turn on the heater, and be blasted with cold air. It’s time for a heater test to make sure the heater core is not damaged. The heater core takes engine heat trapped in coolant and pushes it through the vents so you get toasty warm inside your vehicle’s cabin. Have the heater inspected now to make sure it’s ready for winter.
Tire Inspection
You don’t need us to tell you how dangerous it is to drive on icy roads with bald tires so take a look at them now. If you see patchy tread or no tread at all, it’s wise to have your tires replaced now rather than attempt to drive on them during rain, sleet, and snow. This is especially important if you plan to use tire chains, as the chains can damage bald tires and leave you stranded on the road.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Fall is also an excellent time to check your windshield washer fluid reservoir to make sure you have plenty of it. It’s also important to flush and refill the reservoir with de-icing fluid if you don’t already have that type of washer fluid in there. You’ll need the de-icing solution plus an ice scraper throughout the winter when your window gets icy and while you’re driving in snowstorms.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Finally, don’t head into winter with worn windshield wiper blades. You need to see in the rain and snow, and worn blades will be useless. As you drive, the worn pieces will fly off your windshield wipers and you could even scratch your windshield with the wiper blade arms. Now is the time to change the blades if they need it. Make sure to purchase the right sizes for your blade arms.
Fall Vehicle Maintenance in Waterford Township, MI
Too busy? Don’t worry! Meadows Automotive in Waterford Township, MI, can do the above fall maintenance and much more. Call us to schedule your fall service visit.
