4 Tips to get your car ready for fall driving
Summer is over and fall is here. The leaves are changing colours, scarves and sweaters are coming out of the closets, and your car needs to pay a visit to the mechanic.
With every season change it’s important to give your car a check-up, but it’s extremely important to perform maintenance when going from warm weather to cold. Some of the maintenance needed to get your car ready for fall driving can be done yourself (saving you money), but other items need the attention of a certified mechanic.
Here are four tips to get your car ready for fall driving:
1. Change the wiper blades
Fall means the rain is on it’s way. The last thing drivers want is to get stuck in a rainstorm without functioning windshield wipers. Wiper blades can be purchased at stores such as Canadian Tire and also installed on site.
If you’re handy, you can also change them yourself and save on the cost of labour. While you’re at the store, it’s a good idea to pick up a bottle of windshield cleaning fluid and top it off.
2. Give your tires a check-up
When there’s a change in the climate there’s also a change in the air pressure of your tires. CAA says checking your tire air pressure and making sure the spare tire is intact are important parts of getting your car ready for fall:
“Check your tires. Tires that are not properly inflated require your engine to work harder to move your vehicle and, therefore, to burn more gas. This increases fuel costs and increases the risk of engine damage. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find its optimal tire pressure, and check the pressure whenever there are significant changes in temperature”.
3. Change the oil
Most experts recommend that you change the oil in your car approximately every 5,000 kilometres. Depending on your usage, that means you need to have an oil change two to three times a year.
Fall is a good time to lift up the hood and make sure all is well. Your car will be working harder in the colder weather so keeping the oil and engine clean are smart car maintenance tips. A standard oil change should cost approximately $30 at a local mechanic; it goes higher if you take it to the dealer. That’s a small price to pay to keep your car running smoothly.
4. Clean the air filter
While you may have been cruising around with the windows down all summer, fall is the time to roll
them up and turn on the heat. Make sure the air is clean in your car by cleaning or changing the air filter. Although most people probably pay a mechanic to do the job, you can actually DIY to save some money.
It costs some money to get your car ready for fall driving, but keeping your car maintained also keeps it safe. Visit your mechanic and get your car ready for the upcoming colder weather.