School’s already back in session, the days are getting shorter, and there’s often a nip in the air that wasn’t there just a few weeks ago.
Yep, that’s right: Fall is nearly here.
Now’s a good time to perform a few checks and balances on your car so that you’re ready before the weather really tanks.
No matter the time of year, we’re here to service your vehicle so that it runs smoothly no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. Schedule your appointment online, or call us to schedule your appointment at 605-348-4468.
Examine your tires and brakes. When the weather finally does turn wet, icy, and snowy, you’re going to want to know you can stop when you need to. The old standby of using a penny to check your treads still holds true; insert a penny into the grooves of your tire. If you can’t see Lincoln’s head because it’s hidden by the tread, you’re OK on tires. But if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, you need new tires.
Don’t forget to also check your tire pressure. When the temperature gets colder, your tire pressure will often drop. For better gas mileage and safety, it’s important to keep your pressure at the level that your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends.
Your best bet for your brakes is to get them inspected by a reputable vehicle shop like ours. If you notice that your brakes are “soft,” meaning you aren’t stopping as quickly, make sure to schedule an appointment right away.
- Check your battery. There’s nothing worse than being out in a frigid night, getting into your car, turning the key, and being met with a dead battery. It’s best to have a trained technician check out your battery to see if it needs to be replaced. But if you see signs of corrosion on your battery’s terminals or cable ends, or if you notice loose connections, get your batter checked right away.
- Replace your wiper blades. Experts recommend you replace your wiper blades about every six months or whenever you notice your blades aren’t adequately cleaning your windshield or are leaving streaks.
- Ensure your heater and defroster are working. As you already know, driving with your windows fogged over is a recipe for disaster. It’s likely you didn’t have to think about your defroster during the summer, so before the cold weather hits, check your front and back (if you have them) window defrosters so you know they’ll be ready for that first frost.
- Get your oil changed, and check your air filter. When the calendar gets to the latter half of the year, it’s a good time to go in for an oil change. You should also check to make sure your air filter is clean enough to operate properly. If you hold your filter up to a light source and can see light through it, it’s time for a new filter.
And remember, no matter the season, our Service Center is here to make sure your car, truck, or SUV keeps rolling down the road in tip-top condition!