How to Prep your Car for the Fall

Preparing your automobile for the fall might not be the first thing on your to-do list, yet it has the potential to be the most important item on that list. Prepping your car for fall and winter with seasonal auto maintenance is especially important leading up to the cold months as a breakdown on the road jeopardizes your health and safety. Our service department is here to help. Let’s take a quick look at a checklist to prepare your car for fall and winter.

What Should I Do to My Car Before Fall?

Mind Those Fluid Levels

You will need each and every fluid in your automobile to make it through the rigors of fall and winter. The start of fall is the optimal time to check your power steering fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid and coolant among others. In particular, transmission fluid is especially important for cooling the engine temperature to the optimal level.

Hoses and Belts

The internal components connected to your vehicle’s engine are unseen when driving so they tend to be out of mind. However, if the hoses and belts below your vehicle’s hood are cracked, worn or leaking, they will cause serious problems on the road this fall and winter. If the hoses or cables are even slightly compromised, have them repaired or replaced prior to the arrival of the cold temperatures.

Braking Power is Essential for the Fall and Winter Seasons

The arrival of rain, snow, sleet and ice makes stopping an automobile that much more challenging. Seize the opportunity to have your vehicle’s brakes checked by our automotive service team. Prep your car for fall and winter with a brake check and you will be able to hit the road this fall/winter knowing your vehicle can reach a full stop within a reasonable distance from the point at which you press the brakes.

Tire Performance

If your vehicle’s tires are underinflated, overinflated or lacking in tread depth, they will make fall and winter driving much more dangerous than it should be. Our auto service team is here to check your tires to gauge their remaining lifespan and repair or replace them as necessary.

Battery Check

When was the last time you had your vehicle’s battery checked? If your car’s battery is more than a couple years old, it might require replacement. Have the battery checked and potentially replaced prior to the start of winter and you won’t end up stranded on a cold fall or winter night.

Add the Right Floor Mats

Maintaining a clean vehicle that is comfortable and safe to drive requires both internal and external maintenance. Most drivers overlook the importance of all-weather floor mats. These multi-season mats are built to stand the test of time, holding strong even when subjected to snow, slush, dirt and water. Such mats also help protect the brake and gas pedals against damage from spills.

Do Your Lights Work?

Think back to the last time you checked your vehicle’s lights. If you are like most drivers, you have not checked your car’s lights as you spend your time inside the vehicle when the lights are on. Bring your vehicle to East Coast Toyota for comprehensive maintenance and we will check the headlights, taillights and brake lights. Our team sweats all the small stuff of auto servicing, meaning we will even check the emergency flashers to guarantee they are fully functional.

Takeaways

• Every vehicle requires maintenance prior to the start of the fall and winter seasons.
• Seasonal auto maintenance prevents potentially costly and frustrating breakdowns when the temperatures drop down low.
• Let East Coast Toyota maintain your vehicle and you will enjoy invaluable peace of mind.

Schedule Auto Service at East Coast Toyota

Our automotive service specialists are here to prepare your vehicle for the fall and winter. If your car, truck or sport utility vehicle has not been serviced in the preceding spring or summer, now is the time to be proactive. Give us a call at (201) 438-5659 to schedule maintenance/service and you will transition to the fall and winter with full confidence.