Auto Shop Tips for Winter Driving: Part II
If you're planning to head out and visit family and friends for the holiday season, you definitely want a dependable vehicle to drive on winter roads. Ask your auto shop to perform a standard courtesy inspection to prevent a roadside emergency, preventing your arrival at your holiday destination. The services performed at your auto shop can be literal lifesavers in snowy or icy conditions.
These four tips from an auto shop will help you stay safe during your holiday travels:
- Scheduled Maintenance Services: Change the oil and filter, as well as other fluids and filters (anti-freeze/coolant mixture, brake and transmission) at the appropriate intervals. Using high-quality filters are worth the extra cost. Inspect the brake system, including the rotors, pads and calipers. Make sure all the exterior and interior lights are working properly. New bulbs only cost a few dollars and are easy to install. Finally, it may be time to replace the windshield wiper blades if they are more than six months old. Don't forget to fill the washer fluid reservoir.
- A Clean Car: To be more comfortable on your trip, take time to clean out the interior of your car. All-weather floor mats will help protect your carpets and are easy to clean or replace. Clean your windows so there is nothing obstructing your view. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk and backseat to increase fuel efficiency, as well as make room for all your holiday food and gifts!
- Check the tires: Inspect the tires for excessive wear, fill with the correct air pressure, and rotate if necessary. If there are cracks or bulges, or if the tread is worn too thin, you may need to purchase new tires. Be sure to check the spare too.
- Inspect the Radiator: Make sure the anti-freeze mixture is adequate for colder or freezing temperatures, and the hoses checked for cracks or bulges.
Don't spend your holiday in an auto shop! Not only will your gas mileage and driving performance increase significantly with these maintenance services, you can drive to grandma's house worry-free!
If you're planning to head out and visit family and friends for the holiday season, you definitely want a dependable vehicle to drive on winter roads. Ask your auto shop to perform a standard courtesy inspection to prevent a roadside emergency, preventing your arrival at your holiday destination. The services performed at your auto shop can be literal lifesavers in snowy or icy conditions.
These four tips from an auto shop will help you stay safe during your holiday travels:
- Scheduled Maintenance Services: Change the oil and filter, as well as other fluids and filters (anti-freeze/coolant mixture, brake and transmission) at the appropriate intervals. Using high-quality filters are worth the extra cost. Inspect the brake system, including the rotors, pads and calipers. Make sure all the exterior and interior lights are working properly. New bulbs only cost a few dollars and are easy to install. Finally, it may be time to replace the windshield wiper blades if they are more than six months old. Don't forget to fill the washer fluid reservoir.
- A Clean Car: To be more comfortable on your trip, take time to clean out the interior of your car. All-weather floor mats will help protect your carpets and are easy to clean or replace. Clean your windows so there is nothing obstructing your view. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk and backseat to increase fuel efficiency, as well as make room for all your holiday food and gifts!
- Check the tires: Inspect the tires for excessive wear, fill with the correct air pressure, and rotate if necessary. If there are cracks or bulges, or if the tread is worn too thin, you may need to purchase new tires. Be sure to check the spare too.
- Inspect the Radiator: Make sure the anti-freeze mixture is adequate for colder or freezing temperatures, and the hoses checked for cracks or bulges.
Don't spend your holiday in an auto shop! Not only will your gas mileage and driving performance increase significantly with these maintenance services, you can drive to grandma's house worry-free!
