The leaves are changing, the temperature is cooling down – It is officially time to think about the fall. Most fall season tips for car owners will likely turn around planning for winter. That is mainly because temperatures severely drop in the following two seasons. It will be helpful looking into preparing for winter as soon as you start to see the leaves fall—lucky for those who are prepared.
While it rarely gets freezing in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, it is important to adjust your car maintenance routine when the temperatures drop. If you will be traveling for the holidays to a cooler climate, make sure to fully prepare for heavy rain, ice, and other weather. Here at Cars and Credit Master, we are concerned about our client’s car care during the change of seasonal weather. Thus, we’ve prepared some seasonal car care maintenance tips to help your vehicle stay in top condition all season long.
Autumn/Fall
An accurate inspection of your vehicle during the fall months will go a long way toward ensuring safety and dependability when temperatures drop and extreme winter weather hits. A routine maintenance schedule also makes economic sense, increasing useful vehicle life, and helping avoid harmful repairs down the road. Whether you do it yourself or take your car to our service center. Cars and Credit Master advises basic car care maintenance tips to keep your vehicle run smoothly:
- Inspect all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake, transmission, windshields, and coolant.
- Inspect the belts and hoses to make sure they are not broken, frayed, brittle, loose, or giving signs of extreme erosion.
- Check the battery and change it if needed. Make sure the connection is neat, compact, and corrosion-free.
- Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors, and drums inspected when you change the oil.
- Check the exhaust system for leaks, damage, and broken supports if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and should be fixed immediately.
- Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the finest balance of power and fuel-saving and produce the most economical level of emissions.
- Inspect the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Proper heating and cooling performance are essential for interior comfort and safety.
- Monitor the steering and suspension system annually such as shock absorbers, struts, and chassis parts including ball joints, tie rod ends, and other components.
- Inspect the tires, including tire tread and pressure. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel adjustment. Tires should also be checked for lumps and bald spots.
- Inspect the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all exterior and interior lighting is operating properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during heavy rain.
Winter
Winter Season is terrible and throws all kinds of weather our way, sometimes making driving a frightening ride. Thus, it is important to be prepared, here are some tips to secure that you and your car make it through the season safe.
- Shift to a winter weight oil. Viscosity changes with temperature, so your car may benefit from a diverse weight of engine oil. A lighter weight engine oil will enhance engine start-up and give better lubrication during the cold season.
- Monitor your tire pressure. Be sure to check the pressure of your tires and spare tires at least once per month this winter. Properly inflated tires last longer, make your vehicle safer to drive and it can improve your fuel efficiency.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full. Keeping at least a half tank of gas will prevent condensation in your gas tank and block your gas line from freezing during the cold weather.
- Check your battery and replace it if necessary. Freezing temperatures will reduce your car’s battery power, so it’s important to keep the connections corrosion-free, clean, and tight. If your battery is old, you should consider replacing it with one specified in your owner’s manual.
- Apply the proper coolant. Your cooling system is one of the most important things to watch during the winter season. In cold areas, you may need to change the concentration, but your coolant concentration.
- Examine your brakes. Slow down or stop when you need to on slick and slippery roads. Check your brakes for wear and tear and buy some time to stop by replacing the worn brake pads.
- Check your exhaust system for leaks. Leaks can be dangerous when driving during the winter season with the windows closed. Ensure that you check your exhaust system to stay safe.
- Check your lights. Your lights may dim or burn out entirely and the plastic in your light covers will degrade and cloud, leading to deformed and dimmed illumination. Be sure to change both your bulbs and light covers to maintain high-quality lighting.
- Ready your emergency toolkit. Do not leave your home without a safety toolkit in the winter. Ensure that you have a battery pack, extra windshield washer fluid, and warm clothes or a blanket in case you get stranded.
Winter driving is a serious thing, be sure to drive slowly, be patient, and remember that there is nothing wrong with being cautious. If you don’t feel comfortable driving in bad weather conditions, pull over and wait it out or just stay at hom
Spring
After this long winter season, you’re likely ready to pack up for some adventure. For many people, this means family vacations, outing with friends, and weekend road trips. Chances are you are getting ready to hit the road, but are you certain that your car is in good condition to get to your destination safely? Cars and Credit Master are always eager to give you tips to prepare for this season. Spring is the ideal time to bring your car to our service center for a full inspection to identify any problems.
- Change oil and oil filter. Changing your oil and oil filter at the periods recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual is one of the safest ways to keep the engine running smoothly. Ignoring to replace engine oil can result in poor engine performance, higher fuel consumption and worst is critical engine damage.
- Check your fluids. If you change your oil and oil filter, don’t forget to check also your fluids. Check your power steering, brake, and transmission fluids. Remember that your power steering, brake, and coolant systems are closed, so low fluid levels mean a leak.
- Check your lighting. Check all exterior and interior light to distinguish any problems. When your car’s lighting is defective, other drivers may not get the directions that you mean to stop or turn.
- Check your filters. Your car has several filters that are important to its longevity and should be replaced regularly. Check your engine air filter, your cabin air filter, and your fuel filter for possible damage or blocking and replace them if needed.
- Check your tires. Check your tires. Tires are an important point of contact between you and the road, we need to take care of them. Rotate your tires and replace them if they are worn or damaged.
Summer
Before hitting the road in summer, you can take several simple precautions to keep your family safe and save money. Excessive heat and road trips can be tough on cars. Cracked hoses, leaky radiators, under-inflated tires, and dirty filters. It can greatly affect your fuel-efficiency or lead to a total breakdown. Cars and Credit Master advises you to check the following vehicle parts regularly during the summer to avoid breakdowns and car problems:
- Tires – Tire pressure changes with increasing temperatures, improper air pressure of tires puts you at risk for accidents and flats. Check your owner’s manual to make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended specifications.
- Hoses and belts – Check hoses for cracks, leaks, and loose connections. Hoses should be firm, especially where they are most vulnerable near clamps that connect to the radiator or engine. Soft or flexible hoses often indicate a problem. Likewise, check belts for cracks and damage. A smooth or slippery belt may be a sign of extreme wear. The material should not be separated into different layers. Talk to our mechanic about changing them when necessary or check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to do it.
- Air conditioner – The most frequent cause of a defective air conditioning unit is a low level of refrigerant. Have a professional check of your A/C with our top-notch service staff and mechanic unit for leaks and evaluate refrigerant levels.
- Air filter – Check your filter and replace it if it’s filthy. A dirty air filter is hard on the engine and lowers fuel performance.
- Windshield wipers – Replace your wipers if they are cracked or torn to maximize your vision during severe summer winds.
As the season is changing, you should care about the shape and condition of your car. Many people believe that winter is the only season that can have a climatic effect on a car’s performance, but in most weather, every season poses various distinctive challenges that should be defined with proper car maintenance.
Are you already having a problem with your car? Want to have it evaluated before the season changes? Contact Cars and Credit Master service center to provide top-notch maintenance and repair.
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