Is Your Vehicle Ready For Fall?

Be Car Care Aware...

Preventative maintenance is by far the cheapest and best way to prevent even larger problems down the line. Here are a few Fall car care tips:

• BATTERY:  Have your battery checked especially after the extremely hot weather where it was overworked.
• TIRE PRESSURE:  Make sure your tires have the correct pressure.  Air pressure in a tire decreases 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.  For an accurate reading make sure to check tire pressure when the tires are cold.  Driving even a mile can affect the psi reading.
• TIRE TREAD:  Check your tire tread to make sure that you have the recommended safe about of tread left.  Also check for cracks, bubbles, and any other irregularities.
• BRAKE CHECK:  Driving on worn brake pads and/or shoes not only decreases stopping power but can damage brake rotors and/or drums as well.
• WASHER FLUID:  May not seem like a safety feature but water will freeze on your windshield in the winter.  choose a cold weather washer fluid that won't freeze in colder temperatures.
• CHECK FLUID LEVELS:  Keeping an eye on fluid levels can alert you to a needed service or potential problem like a leak.
• HEATING AND COOLING:  Check the HVAC system.  Proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.
• PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE:  Keeping up with basic car care helps save from a breakdown or unexpected repair.
• WINDSHIELD WIPERS:  Now is the perfect time to check to make sure that your wipers work properly without smearing.  Don't wait until you are in a down pour to find out that your wiper blades only smear causing vision obstruction.
• LIGHTS:  Winter days mean longer nights.  Make sure all of your vehicles lights are functioning properly.

Next time you are in for maintenance or repair make sure you ask for your Fall Courtesy Vehicle Inspection free of charge at your one stop automotive repair shop, The Auto Analyst.  Schedule an appointment today by calling (530) 621-4591 or online at www.theautoanalyst.com.