End of Summer Car Care Tips

Although preparing your car for the end of summer doesn’t seem as urgent as winter or summer prep, it’s still essential to take care of your car to avoid costly repairs down the road.

1. Check the Brakes: Because it’s such an important component for the safety of drivers and passengers, vehicle maintenance should always include a brake check. You should have the brake system looked at annually. This includes the linings, drums rotors and brake pads.
2. Replace the Lights: As the days get shorter in the fall, that means that we spend more time driving in the dark. Plus, seasonal weather changes – including fog, rain and snow – further reduce visibility. Make sure that all the lights on your car are in good working order and replace any bulbs that are burnt out. Specifically, test the headlights, fog lamps, turn indicators, hazard lights, brake lights, taillights and reverse lights.
3. Install New Wiper Blades: Automotive experts advise replacing your windshield wiper blades every six months, but the summer heat and sun are especially damaging to the rubber. If they streak or squeak, that’s a good sign that the wipers are worn out.
4. Rotate the Tires: It’s time to take a look at the condition of your tires. Check the tread level on your summer or all-season tires using the penny test. If the tires are bald or worn down, it’s time to replace them. When you rotate the tires, look for signs of uneven wear; this may indicate a problem with the suspension or wheel alignment. Tire pressure falls with cooler temperatures, so this is a good time to inflate them.
5. Assess the Steering & Suspension: Falling leaves and other fall hazards means you should have your car’s steering and suspension systems inspected. A reliable mechanic will look at the shocks, struts and chassis to make sure that you’re good to go.
6. Look at the Battery: Winter is a hard time for a car battery. Check yours now so that you won’t be left out in the cold. You, or your mechanic, should look for signs of rust around the battery terminals and verify that the connections are tight.
7. Test the Heating & Air Conditioning: You’re going to need the heat and defrost settings to work properly as colder weather approaches. If you notice that the air output or temperature is not optimal, have your mechanic take a look.
8. Fill up the Fluids: As you look over your car at the end of the summer, check the fluid levels. This includes the engine coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. You should also top off the windshield detergent.
9. Change the Oil: With high-quality engine oil, it’s no longer necessary to change it every 3,000 miles. Nowadays, cars can go from 5,000 to 10,000 miles before needing an oil change.
10. Check the Hoses & Belts: Take the time to inspect the hoses and belts to confirm that they aren’t loose, worn out, cracked or brittle.
11. Flush the Cooling System: Check your owner’s manual for the car manufacturer’s recommendation, but generally, mechanics say that you should flush the cooling system every 30,000 miles or five years. If it hasn’t been that long, wait for the radiator to cool down, then check the condition and level of the coolant. If the coolant level is low, go ahead and top it off.
12. Inspect the Exhaust System: As part of your seasonal inspection, your car should be lifted so that the mechanic can look for leaks in the exhaust system or damaged supports. This is important because exhaust leaks can be very dangerous.

Source: Badell’s Collision