Preparing Your Vehicle for Fall and Winter

By Naylor's Auto Repair on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 13:16

The changing of seasons from winter to spring or summer to fall is a great time to get your vehicle all of the routine maintenance that it needs. This can include changing or topping off fluids, getting an oil change, having your tires inspected, and more.  

The colder weather can present challenges for your vehicle, so you'll want to make sure that it’s prepared with these car maintenance steps.

Check the Fluids

Your vehicle needs a variety of fluids to operate correctly. These include oil, coolant, and brake fluid.  The levels and quality of the fluid need to be checked occasionally as they can be depleted over time. 

Also, during use, contaminants can work their way into the fluid causing them to not be able to function in the way that they were meant to. This can leave the engine running hot or cause severe engine failure. 

Inspect the Tires

The quality of your tires affects the way that your vehicle drives.  When tires have uneven wear patterns, begin to bulge, or even have low air pressure, your vehicle won’t have good gas mileage. When you don’t care for your tires, you’ll also be replacing them more often. 

While you may check them briefly every time that you get gas, it’s a good idea to have them inspected by a professional.  Our team can ensure that each tire is properly inflated, that they are in good condition, and are road-ready for the cooler temperatures of Fall.

Get the Brakes Inspected

Your brake system is an important part of your vehicle’s safety system.  Keeping them in great shape is part of your vehicle’s routine maintenance. 

When you come in for a Fall brake inspection, a certified technician will examine the entire brake system for any signs of wear or damage.  They will let you know if it’s time to have the brake pads changed or if there is excessive wear on the rotors.  Your Fall checkup can be a great time to take care of these routine maintenance tasks in preparation for icy roads in the Winter.

Check the Windshield Wiper Blades

Fall and Winter winds and rains can really put your windshield wipers to work.  During your Fall car maintenance, check the windshield wipers for wear.  If they need to be replaced, we’ll get them changed quickly for you.

Have the Heater and Air Conditioner Serviced

The changing seasons can mean that you’ll be putting your ventilation system to use.  Have a professional inspect your cooling and heating system so that they are in working order when you need them.  Your vehicle’s heating system relies on the engine’s coolant. 

Having a professional check it before cooler weather hits means avoiding having a cold vehicle interior.  The same is true with warmer weather.  Your vehicle’s air conditioning system also needs maintenance. Since Fall in Boise is unpredictable, ranging from hot to cold, you'll want to make sure both are working equally well.

Test the Battery

There are many things that can drain your vehicle’s battery, including sitting out in the cold for days on end.  To prevent being stranded, you need to have it occasionally tested to ensure that it is in full working order. You can do this as part of your Fall maintenance on your vehicle or come in if you suspect that there may be a problem.  It will only take a few moments for us to know what condition it is in.

Rely on Naylor’s Auto Repair for Your Car Maintenance Needs

These are a few of the car maintenance steps that our team recommends during your Fall checkup.  We want your vehicle to be in its best shape so that you are as safe as can be on the road.  When your vehicle needs servicing, come see us!