As cooler weather sweeps the country and fall rolls around, it’s easy to forget about taking care of your car. Fortunately, Calber is here to help with all of your seasonal car care needs.
October is Fall Car Care Month, and we’ve put together a simple checklist using car care tips from the Car Care Council to help prevent wasting your precious time and money on emergency repairs. Spend a few minutes checking these yourself or take your vehicle to a trusted local shop and you can spend your fall worry-free.
Your fall car care checklist should focus on your car’s:
- Heating/cooling system. Prior to the change in weather, have your car’s heating (and AC) system inspected. Problems with your car’s AC system can lead to trouble with the vehicle’s heating system, including the defroster. Issues with car heating systems arise from blown fuses, clogged heater cores, and faulty blower motors. By trusting your local auto care team to inspect your heating system, you can have confidence that it has the chops to keep you toasty warm once the mercury starts to drop.
- Brakes. Don’t wait to think about your brakes when they fail to stop your vehicle. Fall is a good time to go for a brake inspection and have any necessary repairs to your brake system completed. Your car care professional can inspect your car’s brakes, brake pads, and calipers, check for warped or worn rotors, and change your brake fluid if needed.
- Oil. Hopefully you’ve been keeping up with the oil changes your car needs, but if not, now is the time to schedule service with your local auto care center.
- Tires. The condition of your tires is directly tied to how well your vehicle holds the road as it turns, accelerates, and stops. Check your tires for signs of wear and tear or even treads and see your car care center if you need new tires.
- Battery. Cold weather puts a big drain on your car’s battery, and if it is old to begin with, your car may not even start if the temps dip low enough. Have a pro inspect your battery to check for any loose connections, corrosion, or leaks prior to the commencement of fall and winter weather.
- Lights. Fall and winter days are shorter, so you’ll be using your lights more when the seasons change. Make sure that your car is visible to others by checking the functionality of your headlights, fog lights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, and all other components of your lighting system.
Prior to the onset of fall weather, it can’t hurt to throw an emergency kit in the trunk. Fill it with essentials you need if you experience a breakdown on the road, including an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, and other necessities.
With this checklist and car care tips, you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way. If you’re near a Caliber Auto Care center in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston or San Antonio, schedule a fall check up today.