Fall is here, and it will be winter before you know it. We have to prepare ourselves and our homes for the changes in the weather, but we can’t forget about our cars. Routine maintenance is important no matter the time of year, but especially in the winter. Keeping your car in good repair is the best way to make sure you don’t have any problems on the road this winter. Get an oil change, check your fluids, check your battery…the list goes on.
Here are a few things our team at Top Level Automotive thinks you should do to get your car ready for winter.
Get an Oil Change
We’ve all been told over and over to get regular oil changes. Your engine can suffer some pretty serious damage if you leave old oil in your engine for too long. When the weather gets cold, you want to know that your engine will run reliably. Anything you can do to avoid a breakdown is worth doing, especially in the winter. And getting an oil change is an easy and expensive thing you can do to keep your car well-maintained.
Check Your Brakes
When the roads are slippery, you want to know that your brakes are working. Slippery roads will increase your braking distance, but you don’t want to make it worse by neglecting your brakes. Check that your brake pads haven’t worn down and that you have enough brake fluid. Depending on how long it’s been, it’s a good idea to flush and replace your brake fluid so that you know your brakes will respond when you need them.
Adjust Your Tire Pressure
Cold weather can have a noticeable effect on your tire pressure, so be sure to keep an eye on it, especially after a very cold night. Even if your car’s sensors don’t complain about the tire pressure, check it anyway. It’s easy enough to adjust the pressure if you need to. You should also think about switching to snow tires, especially if your car doesn’t have four-wheel or all-wheel drive. All-weather tires might be good enough, depending on your car, but you should consult with a trusted mechanic to ensure you’re ready to drive in the snow.
