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Car Care Month, Fall Auto Tips, Tires, Battery Check, Oil Change, Fluids Check

October is Car Care Month: Fall Auto Tips Boonsboro, MD

Posted at 15:20h in Auto Maintenance by Eby's Garage

Car Care Month, Fall Auto Tips, Tires, Battery Check, Oil Change, Fluids Check

October is officially known as National Fall Car Care Month in the United States. It is a great reminder to get caught up on any routine maintenance services that are overdue. A few fall auto tips to help prepare for the cooler temperatures include inspecting your tires, getting a battery check, and scheduling an oil change. Also, keep reading for some suggestions to avoid common fall driving hazards.

Car Care Month: Fall Auto Tips

Routine Maintenance

Check your owner’s manual to see if you have any mileage marker (30/60/90k) services that have been missed or are approaching. Performing routine maintenance on your automobile is the easiest and most cost-effective way to prolong the life of your vehicle.

Battery Check

Winters can be harsh on car batteries. Extreme temperatures and inclement weather can shorten battery life. Battery maintenance should include:

Removing corrosion from the terminals & cables.
Using a bracket to secure the battery in the engine compartment.
Avoid using electronics when the car is not running.
Try to make trips last 10 minutes or longer to allow the alternator time to charge the battery.

These practices can help prolong the lifespan of your car battery. You can schedule a battery check with your auto service center to see how much life your battery has left.

Tires: Air Pressure & Tread

You should inspect the air pressure in your tires more frequently during cooler weather. As the outside temperature drops, so does the air pressure in your tires. Use a quality digital gauge to check your tire air pressure weekly. Make sure to keep the pressure set to the recommended amount found in your owner’s manual or on the decal in the door jam.

Make sure you have sufficient tread left on your tires for winter driving. Ice, snow, and rain can be hazardous without adequate tire tread. Check for bald spots, uneven tread wear, and other damages to your tires as well. If you have snow tires, now is the time to have them installed.

Oil Change + Fluids Check

Change dirty oil before winter weather arrives. If you are past due for an oil change, consider scheduling an appointment as soon as possible. Old oil can contain contaminants, including water, which could prove disastrous in freezing temperatures. A complete fluids check will winterize your vehicle and help protect your vehicle while driving in cold weather. Make sure to check and top off the following fluids:

Oil (Winter weight, if recommended) & Oil Filter
Transmission Fluid & Filter
Brake Fluid
Antifreeze
Window Washer Fluid (Winter Formula)

Remember, never mix different weights or formulas when adding fluids. If you want to add winter formulas, be sure to drain the previous fluids to prevent adverse reactions.

Fall Driving Hazards

Driving In The Dark

Daylight Savings Time ends in late fall, so we have more hours of darkness in our day. Many of us will drive to work in the morning and drive home at night, in darkness. Help yourself see better by ensuring your vehicle’s brake lights, headlights, fog lamps, and high beams all work correctly. Replace burned-out bulbs with fresh ones. Insert new fuses to replace any blown-out ones. Clean hazy headlamps with a cleaning solution available at any automotive parts store, or try a home remedy like toothpaste and baking soda.

Fallen Leaves

Slow down when driving in areas with a lot of trees. The beautiful fall colors can be distracting, and they can hide dangers too. If it is raining, wet leaves can be slick, reducing tire traction. They can also hide large puddles, potholes, and other road hazards.

Never drive through large leaf piles. Children and small animals often play and hide in piles of leaves.
Never park on a pile of leaves. The hot engine and exhaust parts may ignite them, causing a fire.
Always remove wet leaves from your windshield (and other windows) before driving. Windshield wipers can sometimes be ineffective at eliminating wet leaves, and they can block your vision.

Black Ice

Temperatures can drop quickly during the fall. Light rain can quickly turn into sleet. Areas of wet road can develop into frozen sheets of black ice, especially over bridges. Stay aware, reduce your speed, and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Car Care Maintenance in Boonsboro, MD

Welcome to Eby’s Garage. We understand that getting your vehicle serviced is essential. Our goal is to make the process affordable, quick, and as hassle-free as possible. Our experienced technicians can take care of all your fall car care needs. You can count on our full-service auto shop for honest and reliable service. In addition, we also offer a 36-month / 36,000-mile warranty.

Boonsboro Auto Repair