Fall Auto Maintenance You Don’t Want To Put Off Before Winter

Fall is that last bastion of nice weather before winter. Once winter hits the elements come into play. The days are shorter, and road conditions can be tougher due to snow and ice. You want to make sure your car is in great shape to deal with this tough time of year. The last thing you want is your car breaking down during the cold winter. Here are the fall maintenance that you don’t want to put off.

Anti-freeze
One of the most important things for your car during winter is anti-freeze. Anti-freeze keeps the water in the cooling system in your car from freezing. It’s important to make sure that your anti-freeze levels are topped off in preparation for the winter. It’s also important to make sure that your cooling system doesn’t have any leaks. If you suspect a leak bring your car in right away. A coolant leak during the winter can do serious harm to your car’s engine.

Brake check
Make sure to bring your car in to have your brakes checked. You want to make sure that your brake pads and rotors don’t need to be replaced. If you hear a high-pitched screeching noise or it’s taking longer for your car to stop, that’s a sign that it’s time to get your brakes checked. You want all the braking power you can get during winter when visibility is significantly decreased and the road conditions are worse. Good brakes can save you from an accident during the bad road conditions of winter.

Light check
Make sure you have all your lights checked including high beams, signals, and taillights. The days are shorter in the winter and you’re going to be using your lights a lot more. You don’t want your lights going out during winter when visibility may decrease because of the weather.

Oil change
Motor oil is the lifeline of your car. It keeps your engine parts from rubbing up against each other and causing damage. Check your oil levels by popping the hood of your car and checking the dipstick. If the oil levels are low add some oil immediately. If the oil light in your car comes on bring it in as soon as possible to get an oil change. A good oil change will ensure your car runs properly during these stressful months of winter.