A change in the weather can also indicate change for your vehicle. Each year, the Car Care Council designates one month in the spring (April) and one month in the fall (October) to call awareness to the importance of regular car care. Failure to perform regularly scheduled preventative maintenance can cause breakdowns and make your vehicle unsafe. Keeping up with simple, typically affordable maintenance can extend the life of many important parts under the hood. In colder weather, one problem can lead to many problems. According to the Car Care Council, this is an important time of year to stay ahead of the game and get your car serviced before the temperature drops.

Your vehicle’s manufacturer provides a specific maintenance schedule. If you consistently bring in your vehicle for service at the recommended intervals (typically 5,000 miles for most types of cars and trucks), there should not be any surprises come wintertime. Here are a few specific maintenance items that are especially important to address during the fall.

Antifreeze/Coolant

As the leaves change color and the temperatures drop, it’s time to make sure your car’s cooling system is ready for winter. As the temperature approaches freezing, improper coolant mixtures can cause catastrophic failure to your motor. Fall is the perfect time to have your coolant system flushed to avoid any issues this winter season. If you have not had your antifreeze/coolant flushed recently, right before the winter is a great time to have this done.

Windshield Wipers

Wipers keep your windscreen free from rain, dust, pollen and other air-borne debris all year round. Good visibility is essential for safe driving – especially as approximately 20% of road accidents are caused by poor visibility. That’s why windscreen wipers, along with lights and interior ventilation, are vital for driving safety. If your wiper blades are old and worn, be sure to have them replaced and adjusted. Also, make sure your windshield washer fluid is full. You can even keep an extra bottle in your trunk, just to be safe.

Oil Changes

Cold temperatures can cause your oil to flow slowly or not at all – which puts a lot of stress on your engine. After a while, your vehicle’s motor can start to have problems. It is important to make sure your car’s oil is not too thick or too thin before heading into colder weather months. While you’re checking your oil, make sure you have a quality oil filter. How your car inputs oil into the engine affects several components of the motor and how effectively your car will run.

Tires

As cold weather approaches, you’ll see that tire pressure will drop about 1 psi for every 10º F drop in air temperature. This is why many drivers see a warning light for low tire pressure on a chilly morning. It’s good practice to check your tire pressure monthly, but it’s especially important during months when the temperature is fluctuating. Be sure to check the spare tire, too .any tires that are at the end of their useful life and have your tires rotated and balanced as well.

Battery

Dead car batteries are common during the winter and leave many motorists stranded, waiting hours for a tow truck. One of the easiest ways to prevent cold weather battery issues is have your battery tested regularly and consider replacing it if it doesn’t meet factory specifications.

We want your family to be safe this season as the holiday season draws closer and temperatures continue to drop. Schedule your vehicle service appointment today, either online at www.steponeautomotive.com/service/, by phone, or in person at any of our 12 service centers.