Fall offers a welcome reprieve from the sweltering heat of summer. With cooler weather, however, comes a few new driving hazards you’ll want to be prepared for. Continue reading to learn how you can prep your car for fall.
4 Car Maintenance Tips to Prep for Fall
Check Your Tires
It’s important to consider the health of your tires now before these chilly mornings turn frigid. Morning frost will make its first appearance in the coming weeks along with cold drizzles and fog.
With the added moisture on the roads, you’ll want to ensure there is a healthy amount of tread to maintain traction. Check to see that your tires have adequate tread and that they are properly inflated. Tire pressure will naturally decrease as the air outside the tires begins to cool down. The effectiveness of your brakes is largely influenced by how much air pressure you have in your tires, so keep a tire gauge handy to check from time to time as the temperatures begin to drop.
Inspect the Brakes
Your car’s brake system is made up of several components. Some of them are highly complex while others can be checked and monitored at home. After a summer full of road trips, it’s a good idea to take a look at your brake pads to make sure they’re ready for the slick road conditions ahead. While the lifespan of brake pads varies depending on the manufacturer and a number of conditions, the general rule of thumb is that brake pads should be replaced every 50,000 miles.
Replace Dim Lights
Shorter days ahead means there are some darker commutes to look forward to. Check that your headlights, brake lights, turn indicators, and fog lights are in working order. Replace any bulbs that appear dim or dead. This step may seem simple but these lights will help you maintain clear visibility of the road ahead while letting other cars know that you’re there.
Run the Heat
Sweater weather may sound exciting but shivering inside your car on your morning drive to work because the heat is malfunctioning is a different story. Since you likely haven’t used your heat in a while, go ahead and run it for a few minutes just to make sure things are good to go before the real cold weather arrives.
Celebrate Fall With a New Ride in Goldsboro, NC
If you’re looking to upgrade your method of transportation in preparation for the fall season ahead, visit Matthews Motors Goldsboro. We have a variety of used cars for sale in Goldsboro, NC. Give us a call or drop by our dealership to schedule a test drive. Don’t forget to check out our available used car specials.