Preparing Your Car For Fall  Driving

The days are getting shorter, the kids are back in school, and the cooler weather will be soon upon us. What does this mean? It is time for fall preventative maintenance for your car, truck, SUV, van or crossover. Keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance not only keeps it running better it helps it last longer and more importantly, helps you save money. The following are 5 important fall care tips you need to know.

1. Check your battery

You never want to be caught with a dead battery. If you are unsure how old your battery is, unless of course your vehicle is new, get it checked. You can stop by your local mechanic or parts store and they can check your battery to see how much life it has left.

2. Check your heater

The last thing you want to do on a chilly day is get in your car and find out you have no heat. You also want to be sure your defroster works to thaw your windshield when the white stuff starts to fall. If you turn your heat on and feel cold air, make an appointment with your mechanic to have it looked at.

3. Check your tires

Your Kelowna tires keep you safe on wet and snowy roads as long as they are well taken care of. As the temperature goes down so does the air pressure in your tires, so always check to be sure that they have the correct pressure. You also want to check your tread to make sure it is at a safe depth and there is no uneven wear, which is a sign of an alignment problem. If something does not look right, it is always a good idea to make an appointment with your mechanic.

4. Change your washer fluid and wiper blades

Fall is a good time to change over to winter washer fluid once it is available. Winter washer fluid will not freeze on your windshield making it easier to keep the snow and ice off. You also want to change your wiper blades over to a sturdier winter type that do not become as brittle in cold temperatures also making it easier to keep a clear line of sight.

5. Lighting

As the days get shorter, your lights will be on longer. Check to be sure your headlights are not cloudy or dim and make sure all of your indicator and signal lights are working as well. These not only help you see, but be seen in the dark. If your headlights are cloudy, you can purchase a kit to clean them and make them look like new.

Now that you have a checklist for your fall car care, it is time to take care of your car, truck, SUV, van or crossover. While most of these can be taken care of yourself, some of them might need a mechanic. If you need professional assistance, Car Craft Automotive of Kelowna, BC is ready to help. Book an appointment online or call us today at 250-860-7444! Let us help you get ready for fall!