This Fall Car Care Month, Prepare for the Elements with these Top Tips

The Farmers’ Almanac predicts a snowier than average winter in Detroit this year. While that may be great for tourism, the same can’t necessarily be said for your car.

October is Fall Car Care Month (National Car Care Council), and also a great time to prepare your car for the elements. Fortunately, the experts at Goodyear Auto Service are helping to ensure car reliability and fewer unexpected repairs this season with their Fall Car Care event, which delivers FREE car care checks, tire installation and major discounts on repairs. Goodyear Auto Service locations are offering FREE Fall Car Care Checks throughout October, which include thorough reviews of several critical areas of your car, including the battery, brakes, important fluids, shocks and struts, tire tread and more. Plus, if your car needs repairs or servicing, you will receive an instant 10 percent discount on most all services, like shocks and struts, battery and brake replacements, tire alignment, antifreeze flushes, and more.

In addition to taking advantage of the Goodyear Auto Service Fall Car Care event, take the following measures to prepare your car for fall and winter:

1. Test or replace the battery. Battery failure is the No. 1 cause of car breakdowns. Often, batteries give slight warning signs when they run low. For example, you may notice the engine struggling to turn over upon ignition or see white, blue or orange fuzz forming around the battery. While a typical battery life is 4 1/2 years, each day of extreme weather – both hot and cold – contributes to the shortening of a battery’s life. It’s a good idea to have your battery tested by a trained professional during peak seasons to determine whether it’s time for a replacement.
2. Keep tires inflated, but do so properly. As temperatures dip, so does your tire pressure. Tires with high air pressure perform inefficiently as compared to properly inflated tires. Check your tires regularly, leveraging the inflation level molded into the driver door sidewall or in your vehicle’s manual.
3. Don’t overlook tread depth. When it comes to tire maintenance, proper depth is an easy way to maximize safety and performance. There are several ways to check tread depth, including the “penny test.” Simply insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down, facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.
4. Inspect brakes. If your car jerks or pulls to the side when you apply the brakes, or if you hear sounds like squeaking, squealing or grinding, it’s likely time for service. Always check your owner’s manual, but a general rule of thumb is to have your brakes checked every 12 months or 15,000 miles.
5. Check critical fluids. Don’t get caught without improper levels of windshield, brake, power steering or transmission fluid this season. Many fluids are easy to check from home.