How To Prepare Your Car for Autumn And Winter
Find out how to prepare your car for autumn and winter. You should also be covered during the cold season. So, get online auto insurance quotes and compare prices!
Battery – Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather has negative influences on batteries, so it’s prudent to check the battery and charging system. Because batteries don’t always give warning signs before they fail, it is recommended to replace batteries that are more than three years old.- Inspect belts, hoses and fluids – You should check your belts, hoses and fluids to make sure they’re working properly. In addition, be sure to perform regular oil changes or seek the help of a professional. Also, make sure your heat is working and replace fluids. Your mechanic can easily identify and fix any problems—just be sure to schedule a visit before the weather gets cooler.
- Inspect brakes – Have the brake system checked, including brake linings, rotors and drums. Brakes are critical to vehicle safety and particularly important when driving on icy or snow-covered roads.
- Check antifreeze – Another critical step is to inspect the antifreeze in your vehicle, which should be “equivalent to the temperatures you are going to be driving in,”. Antifreeze is especially important because it controls your engine’s temperature.
- Heater, Defrosters and Wiper Blades – Check that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are working properly as heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting. Fall is also a great time to check your air filters. Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don’t properly clean your windshield should be replaced. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. When changing the blades, be sure to also check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.
- Check the tires, including the tire pressure and tread depth. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires lose pressure when temperatures drop.
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