Now that the holidays are behind us, snow may seem less joyful and more like an annoyance. But we are sure to see a lot more of it in the coming weeks. That is why getting an annual FREE Winter Vehicle Safety Inspection should be on your to-do list, even if nothing seems to be wrong with your vehicle. Your neighborhood Chicagoland Jiffy Lube ® will check many different parts of your vehicle. Let’s talk about the most important parts of your vehicle inspection.
Windshield Wipers
Ice and snow can cause your wiper blades to wear more quickly than they do in milder months, so having them inspected regularly is important to check that they aren’t becoming overly worn or are falling apart. If a particularly snowy season is expected, consider opting for winter blades, which are made of a sturdier rubber more appropriate for scraping away ice and heavy snow.
Periodic vehicle inspections are an important part of vehicle maintenance, as they can help identify issues with your vehicle before they become a problem. If at any time you notice a sudden change in the way your vehicle runs or drives, it is best to come into your neighborhood Chicagoland Jiffy Lube® for an inspection as soon as you are able. Having annual inspections done, especially during the harsh winter months, can help you keep ahead of required maintenance and avoid surprise repairs.
Exterior / Interior Lights
Advances in light bulb technology in recent years may mean that your vehicle’s bulbs need replacing less frequently than in the past, but it is still important to inspect your lights periodically to ensure all are working correctly. It is also important to inspect headlight lenses for fogging, as this can reduce the range of your lights and make it more difficult to see at night.
Cabin and Engine Air Filters
While oil filters get replaced with each oil change service, air and fuel filters need to be changed at mileage intervals specified in your manual by your manufacturer. Sometimes, however, road and weather conditions can result in your air or fuel filter needing to be changed before the recommended time. During a vehicle inspection, checking an air filter is as simple as opening the hood and looking at the filter itself. If it looks overly dirty or worn, swapping it out for a new one is a quick and inexpensive process that helps to ensure optimal gas mileage and better engine performance.
Serpentine Belts
What connects your vehicle’s power steering, electrical, engine cooling and even air conditioning? The serpentine belt. Your vehicle’s serpentine belt can fray, split, glaze (the working edge of the belt becomes shiny from age and wear) or other damage the belt may have from age and driving conditions.
Vital Fluid Levels
Keeping your fluid levels in your vehicle at proper levels will help maintain performance in areas such as brakes, transmission, radiator coolant and more.
Battery Condition
While vehicle batteries can work efficiently for two to five years, many factors can affect your battery life, from environmental conditions to how often your vehicle is used. Extremely cold weather can shorten average battery life by as much as fifty percent, as the battery has to work harder to start your vehicle in below-freezing temperatures. Often, you can get very little to no warning that a battery is beginning to fail. That is why we check your battery’s performance during a winter vehicle inspection. If the voltage falls outside of the normal parameters, you’ll know it is time to have your battery replaced.
At select Jiffy Lube® service center locations these checks may also be performed on your vehicle as part of the FREE Winter Vehicle Safety Inspection.
Brake Wear
A vehicle’s brakes are important when it comes to safety. A brake inspection will identify brake problems before they escalate. If you hear squeaking, squealing or other noises at any time us use your vehicle’s brakes, you should get them inspected right away. A good rule of thumb is to have your brakes inspected every time you have your tires rotated.
Tire Tread Wear
One of the most common maintenance tasks for vehicles is tire care, and it is a task that is especially important during winter’s often inclement weather. During an inspection, we make sure to test your tire pressure to check if they are inflated correctly. Tires that are overinflated have less contact with the road, which means that they get less traction. It also means that the middle treads will wear down more quickly than the outer treads, which can drastically reduce the tires’ longevity. Tires that are instead overinflated have too much of the tread in contact with the road, which increases friction, and in turn increases heat build-up in the tread. Both issues will contribute to increased tire wear and can even result in tread separation and blowouts. Maintaining the proper pressure is a quick and easy way to help to prevent these issues from occurring.
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.