Give Your Car Some Love During Fall Car Care Month

September 27, 2018 in Tips

Twice a year, the Car Care Council spotlights the importance of maintenance to the safety and dependability of vehicles. If owners don’t keep up with the basics of car maintenance, they risk costly breakdowns in potentially dangerous situations, injuries to yourself or others, towing fees and other unexpected costs down the road.

This month, take a few minutes to look at the list of vehicle care suggestions from the Car Care Council website and make an appointment with your mechanic.

1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
2. Check the hoses and beltsto make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.
3. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
4. Check the brake systemannually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
5. Inspect the exhaust systemfor leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
6. Check the engineto make sure it is delivering the best balance of power and fuel economy and producing the lowest level of emissions.
7. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systemas proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and safety reasons, such as defrosting.
8. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.
9. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
10. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

Despite a maintenance schedule, you might find yourself in need of towing services or collision repair. If you need a tow, we have a strong partnership with Bucks Car Clinic here in Sandy. Call 801.566.4222 during normal business hours or 801.573.2399 after hours for a tow.

Should you need collision repair services, call us at 801.568.0305 and know that we take extra care repairing vehicles and bringing them back to their pre-damage condition. We won’t rush you in to rush you out with little concern for the quality of our repairs; we believe this sets us apart from the rest. We also offer a lifetime warranty as long as you own the car.