The kids are back in school and Fall is just around the corner. That means more carpooling and driving the kids back and forth to after-school activities and the temperatures will start to fall. When a season changes, it’s time to make sure your vehicle is ready for the next. Fall weather will soon lead into colder winter conditions that can be harsh on a vehicle. You can make sure your car, truck or van is safe and reliable by following these six practical fall car maintenance tips.
Most people don’t think of their vehicle tires as being safety features, but they are. In fact, they are so important that any neglect to them can become a major safety hazard. Many are driving around right now on tires that are underinflated (statistics show 1 in 4 have at least one underinflated tire). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016, 733 people died as a result of a tire malfunction. Only 19% of drivers properly check and inflate their tires. These are just a few statistics that show car owners aren’t caring for their vehicle tires in the ways they should. Improved safety, handling and gas mileage come along with proper maintenance. The following tips will assist you.
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Each warning light on your dashboard is there to communicate a specific message to you. Yellow (or orange) lights, like the Check Engine Light, are letting you know there is a problem that needs to be addressed but it’s not an emergency. Lights that are “red” in color, like the brake warning light, are much different. Red lights are telling you that there is something critical going on and if you continue to drive, things will only get worse. When a red-colored warning light comes on your dashboard, you should safely pull off to the side of the road and call for a tow. This is especially true for the brake warning light – it’s letting you know you need brake repair.
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Is the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light on? This light is often misunderstood, and even more often, ignored by vehicle owners. Sometimes the fix is as simple as changing the gas cap. Other times, it may be a repair that’s a little more detailed, like ignition coil replacement. Either way, you should have a Check Engine light problem checked out and corrected right away. Failing to fix any issue that triggered the light to come could cause a more complicated and expensive repair down the road.
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Ignoring routine car maintenance or ignoring minor engine problems will add significant wear and tear on your vehicle and lessen engine life. This is especially true when it comes to the cooling system in your vehicle. Despite the fact that maintaining the cooling system holds such importance in engine performance, 28% of vehicles have inadequate cooling protection. If you can’t recall the last time you had the coolant (also known as antifreeze) flushed and replaced, you fall into that category. It’s time to take care of the cooling system and here’s why…
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When it’s time for an oil change, it’s important to use the correct oil. You must use synthetic oil if your vehicle requires synthetic oil. Not doing so can have disastrous consequences in the near future. Sludge build up can occur, causing malfunctions to critical sensors dependent on oil pressure to work properly as well as several potentially costly repairs.