As every Ford dealer near Louisville, KY, will tell you, car owners should have the habit of conducting simple car maintenance tips at every beginning of the season. Even if you live in an area that doesn’t experience extreme climates, autumn can bring a list of new threats that make driving unsafe.
So, before the season turns colder, here are some car care tips you should do to ensure that you will have a safe driving experience even during adverse weather conditions.
Wash and wax your vehicle
It’s always a good idea to start your car care process by cleaning your vehicle. A thorough wash can remove all accumulated dirt, grime, and trash from your summer drives. Cleaning the exterior will also make the paint scratches more visible, which makes them easier to repair. Afterwards, applying wax will protect your car’s paint from further damage.
While you are at it, you might also want to replace your floor mats with either rubber or all-weather car mats to make them easier to clean. It will also prevent rust from forming on your car floor.
Replace your wiper blades
Now more than ever, you’ll be needing your wiper blades to ensure that you’ll have perfect visibility even during bad weather conditions. Unfortunately, the hot summer weather can cause the wiper blades to crack or get brittle. That’s why you must inspect your wiper blades if they are still in good working condition. If your wiper blades are already leaving unsightly streaks on your windshield, then you should purchase new blades to replace them.
Check if your heater and defroster work
Undoubtedly, you have spent months not bothering to check if your heater or defroster works. But as the weather gets colder, you would want to know if it all works. After all, the last thing anybody wants is to get stuck in traffic with no heat. Also, it becomes more dangerous to drive during cold weather as the fog will likely set in and hinder your visibility.
Check your tire pressure
As the temperature drops, your tire pressure also goes down. According to a Ford dealer near Louisville, KY, your tire loses one pound of tire pressure for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Aside from the tire pressure, it would be best if you also took time to measure the tire tread depth as it can affect your car’s braking and handling performance. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing your tires if the tire tread depth is less than 2/32″.
Also, you need to consider investing in winter tires. Even if you are using all-season tires, their ability to grip the road is affected when the temperature drops to below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if you are living in an area where the temperature consistently drops below this temperature, it would be better to replace your all-season tires with winter tires.
Prep your car for autumn and enjoy leaf-peeping. To know more about preparing your vehicle for cold weather driving, check out Jim O’neal Ford for more helpful tips.
