Fall Car Care

Fall, pumpkin spice treats and cooler temperatures are just around the corner. (Can you hear me fan-girling right now?) With the cooler temps comes time to do some fall maintenance for your vehicle to keep it running smooth. Here are 3 tips to help you prepare for the coming fall and winter seasons.

1. Check the air pressure in each of your tires and even your spare. As a roadside service and towing company, we run into motorists with flats all of the time. Some flat tires are unavoidable, but some can be prevented by checking your tire pressure regularly. There is no worse feeling when your stranded than to have someone come change your flat tire than when they get the spare down and it's flat too. No one thinks about their spare very often - it's hidden out of sight, and unless you get a flat, you don't need it. But just because you haven't had a flat since 1982 doesn't mean it couldn't happen today, tomorrow, or next week. When was the last time you checked on your spare tire?

2. Change your cabin air filter. Not all vehicles have a cabin air filter, but if yours does, changing it will improve the air quality inside your vehicle. As you prepare to switch from the air conditioner to the heater, now is a great time to make sure you have a fresh cabin air filter for the coming months.

3. Replace your windshield wipers and switch your windshield washer fluid to the low temp type. Your standard blue windshield washer fluid freezes at roughly the same temperature as water. If you get the low temp type, you'll be able to wash your windshield on even the really cold mornings that are on the way.

A few simple steps today can save you from a headache and costly bill tomorrow.

Be safe and remember to slow down, move over for all vehicles stopped on the side of the road.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Check Your Tire Pressure

Did you know that your tire pressure affects your gas mileage? If you didn't, I'm telling you now, it does! It is very important to properly maintain our vehicles. Tire pressure may seem like a small thing, but maintaining the correct tire pressure will prevent uneven wear to your tires, maximize your gas mileage and prevent low-pressure (or high-pressure) blow-outs.

It's easy to check your tire pressure. You only need a tire gauge to do the checking (they usually only cost a couple dollars at the auto parts store, or in the auto section of department stores). Now, if you find your tire is a little low, then you'll need access to an air compressor. Many gas stations offer free air, or air for a quarter or two. On the side wall of your tire, you can read the ideal tire pressure for your tire.

Once you locate the recommended tire pressure (mine is 44psi) then you can check the tire. Remove the valve stem cap (you know, the little-bitty-easy-to-lose cap?) and fit your tire gauge onto the valve stem. If you're pressure reads lower than recommended, then you know it's time to add air. If it reads high, you may need to let a little out.

In case you're wondering, I did have a tire shop overfill my tires once, so I usually check my tires within a day or two of going to have my tires rotated and balanced.

Oh, one last thing! The optimal time for checking your the air pressure in your tires is in the morning when it's a little cool, and before you've driven your car. The recommended psi is based on the "cool" temperature side of things.

What automotive care and maintenance topic would you like to know more about?