With the long, warm days of summer drawing to a close, it’s time to start thinking of the chilly rains of autumn followed by the ice and snow of winter. After all, this is Toronto and you need to be prepared for the worst of the cold season.
With fall’s arrival also comes a change in road conditions and new challenges for your vehicle. Are you and your vehicle ready for the change of seasons? Here are the top car maintenance tips to ensure you are prepared.
This is especially important if you took any long road trips this summer. Heavy vehicle usage during summer vacation means that these fluids may require attention.
One of the inevitable consequences of fall and winter is the shortening of the days. So, it won't be unusual for you to find yourself driving to work with the headlights on and then, at the end of the day, driving back home in the dark. Your vehicle's lighting systems are critical, so get them checked. Most people only check their headlights but few check to make sure their brake lights are functioning properly.
When was the last time you replaced your window wiper blades? If it was just this spring, and you didn’t use them much over the summer, They’re probably still fine. On the other hand, if it’s been a few seasons, and you’re noticing some wear, tear, and performance issues, you’ll want to change the blades before the rain and snow begin to affect your field of view.
As the seasons change there are two things you’ll want to check your tires for: tread condition and air pressure. If you’ve been putting your vehicle through its paces this summer, especially if you went on long road trips, you should get in the habit of checking the condition of your tires every month (at minimum).
Tire tread affects your car’s ability to grip the road, while air pressure plays a role in just how fuel-efficient your car is. Ensure that your tires meet the tire manufacturer’s safety specifications. If you’re unsure of how to inspect your tires bring the vehicle into our service department for a quick inspection. If you’re extra prepared, you may also want to think about switching out your summer tires for your winter ones soon. Did you know that once temperatures hit 7 degrees Celsius that winter tires provide stronger braking performance than all-season tires?
One of the most important fall maintenance tips is to have a battery test performed to ensure your car battery is ready for winter. Your battery is the ‘heart’ of your vehicle. Have peace of mind knowing that your battery won’t let you down when you need it most.
Modern vehicles have a lot of computer integration and calibration, so the traditional fall vehicle maintenance tips of getting a tune-up are not going to be the same as older cars. However, that doesn't mean that you won't benefit from bringing your car to the experts to have them take a look. If you don't have the parts and don't want to replenish things like motor oil, brake pads, or air filters yourself, you may be better off leaving this kind of work to the experts.
There is another part of your vehicle that has a limited shelf-life. At some point, you’ll need to replace your air filter. Throughout the summer your air filter has screened out many contaminants and now it could be blocking airflow and impeding optimal engine performance. Always make sure that your air filter gets checked and replaced as necessary.
An authorized and experienced car servicing facility can give your car a complete seasonal check.
Visit us at City Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC for all your service needs!
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