Fall Car Care

Summer vacations are over, the kids are back in school and now is the perfect time to give your vehicle some TLC. Take advantage of this time to make sure your vehicle is ready for the Fall season. Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, Grubbs Automotive Group recommends these steps to make sure your car is ready for fall driving. Keeping up with basic car care helps save from a breakdown or unexpected repair.

1. Battery - Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Because batteries don't always give warning signs before they fail, it is advisable to replace batteries that are more than three years old.
2. Heater, Defrosters and Wiper Blades - Check that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are working properly as heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting. Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don't properly clean your windshield should be replaced. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. When changing the blades, be sure to also check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.
3. Tires - Check the tires, including the tire pressure and tread depth. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. This is a great time to assess if you need to replace tires in the upcoming months for safety and performance while driving.
4. Brakes - Have the brake system checked, including brake linings, rotors and drums. Driving on worn brake pads not only decreases stopping power but can damage brake rotors as well.
5.Check Fluid levels- keeping an eye on fluid levels can alert you to a needed service or potential problem like a leak.

So there you have it. 5 proactive steps you can take to maintain your vehicle and prepare it for Fall weather driving. You can also reach out to any of the service teams at Grubbs Family of Dealerships for your vehicle service needs.