October is National Fall Car Care Month because it is the perfect time to do some routine checks on your vehicle before winter weather sets in. Regular vehicle care goes far beyond just having your oil changed on a regular basis – you should also be checking a few other things to make sure you’re ready to hit the road. This is especially important when temperatures drop and roads get slick with rain, sleet, or snow. To celebrate this important vehicle holiday, we’ve put together a list of 6 Fall Car Care Tips that can help you take care of your vehicle this fall.
Check Your Tires & Tire Pressure
A shallow tread depth will make it more difficult for your tires to grip the road. Attend to your tires by making sure that they are rotated and the right type for the season. Some people even have both winter tires and tires designed for summer months so that they get the best traction year round. You can also have all-season tires for a good mix of qualities that give you year-round traction.
You should also make sure that your tire pressure is within the recommended range to avoid poor grip or increased tread wear. With the fluctuating temperatures of fall, you may find that you have to check your pressure a bit more often than usual to keep it where it needs to be.
Check Your Battery
If you want to avoid getting stranded in a parking lot, make sure that you check your battery before the weather gets cold. Extreme temperatures affect the performance of your battery, and if it’s already dying, you might find yourself with a car that won’t start. Having your battery checked by a mechanic is simple and inexpensive, and they’ll be able to tell you of any potential problems sooner rather than later.
Check Your Antifreeze/Coolant
Antifreeze, also called coolant, is what helps your engine stay at the correct temperature while it is running. Letting this run too low can prevent your engine from starting in cold temperatures, and even lead to internal engine damage.
Check Your Washer Fluid and Windshield Wipers
Winter weather can be very messy, leading to some difficult driving conditions. Make sure that you can see clearly no matter what the weather is like by ensuring your wiper blades are in good condition, and that you have plenty of windshield wiper fluid.
Check Your Defroster and Heater
Waking up to find that your defroster or heater don’t work on the first day of really cold temperatures can leave you struggling to get going to work or school. Take a few minutes to turn both on to test and make sure that they get warm like they should, and if they don’t, stop by your neighborhood Chicagoland Jiffy Lube ® so that we can do an inspection to find out exactly what is going on.
Check Your Oil
While you should be following your manufacturer’s recommendations for oil changes, don’t forget about changing your oil before the cold weather. Some vehicles require a different viscosity in winter versus summer, and some may need more frequent oil changes during extreme weather.
No one enjoys getting stranded in freezing temperatures or struggling to stay on the road because of bad tires or an inability to see. Spend a few hours getting your vehicle ready for winter, or, if you aren’t sure what to look for or what to do, stop by your neighborhood Jiffy Lube®. With our free inspection services, you can find out if anything needs repair on your vehicle before you have to deal with winter driving conditions.
Jiffy Lube® recommends following manufacturer recommendations, where applicable, for maintenance schedules and service intervals.
Not all services are offered at each Jiffy Lube® location. Please check with your local Jiffy Lube® service center for specific services offered.
Go to ChicagolandJiffyLube.com for services and locations in Chicagoland, Rockford, Northwest Indiana and Southeast Wisconsin.
Jiffy Lube® Service Centers are owned and operated by independent franchisees.