October is Fall Car Care Month

October is Fall Car Care Month, an event that aims to remind motorists to perform routine maintenance and repairs on their vehicles before the temperatures drop. Making sure your vehicle's parts are up to standard is key to preventing accidents and breakdowns during severe winter weather. Winter conditions increase the risk for problems like sluggish performance, rough idling and hard starts, so servicing and repairing your vehicles before the cold, snowy weather approaches is of the utmost importance. Providing maintenance during fall will help ensure you get all the parts and repairs you need in time for the season.

According to the results of vehicle check-ups performed at community car care events nationwide by the Car Care Council, an estimated 80% of vehicles need service or parts. In honor of Car Care Month, here are some essential maintenance tips for getting your vehicle ready for winter:

Battery: Winter conditions can be tough on your battery. Without a fully charged battery in good condition, your vehicle will be unable to start in cold weather. Test your battery and charging system to ensure they're in good condition. Completely charge your battery, and replace it if necessary. Make sure the connection is tight and free from corrosion.  

Tires: If you live in a region that experiences severe winter conditions, install snow tires on all four wheels. All-season tires with an adequate tread depth are sufficient for light-to-moderate snow conditions. Inspect the tire tread depth and tire pressure of all four tires, as well as the spare. Replace tires with less than 3/32-inches of tread. During the winter, tire pressures can drop, so you will need to check the pressure weekly. Make sure your tires have the appropriate amount of pressure, which can be found in on a sticker by the driver's side door jam and in the owner's manual. 

Brakes: The brakes are your vehicle's most important safety feature. To eliminate the risk of your brake system failing, have it inspected by a trained technician to ensure it is in working order.

Windshield Wipers: Your windshield wipers should be replaced every six months. Test your wipers to make sure they are working properly. If the blade isn't fully clearing the glass or leaving steaks, you need to replace it. For your washer fluid, use a cleaning solution containing antifreeze to prevent it from freezing.

Lights: See that all the interior and exterior lights are in working order, and replace any burnt out bulbs.

Fluid and Coolant Levels: Make sure the transmission, brake and power steering fluids and coolant are at or above the minimum safe levels.

Heating System: Your heating system is critical to your comfort, as well as safety. Check that your heater and defroster are operating efficiently.

Emergency Kit: Equip your vehicle with an ice scraper and snow bush, and store them where they are easily accessible. Also carry an emergency kit with a flash light, jumper cables, first-aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food, blankets, warning devices and extra clothes.

To ensure your vehicle is ready to tackle the winter season, take your car to 1800 Auto Land. As one of the leading car dealers in NJ, we have certified technicians available to service your vehicle. Contact us today: (877) 537-6035.

Tips for Getting Your Car Ready for Winter

Did you know that October is Fall Car Care Month? It's very important to take care of your car now because you don't want your car to fail you when winter comes. Your car is an investment and the more proactive you are with maintenance, the more life you'll get out of it. Plus, you might save yourself a major headache or expense down the road. Here are several tips to keep in mind to make your winter driving in NJ as painless as possible:

Find a Dealer who Offers Fair Pricing on Services: One of the most important things to remember is that if you do have an issue with your car, you need to find a dealer or mechanic that will offer fair pricing on all repairs. Finding the right mechanic is crucial. This concept was even the basis of a Seinfeld episode. Autoland in Springfield, NJ provides all customers with fair pricing on all preventative services and a variety of repairs. We are even open on Sundays.

Check Your Tires for Wear: Winter can be harsh on your tires – especially if you live in an area where there is a lot of snow. If you have a lot of wear on your tires or uneven wear, this can be especially dangerous. Check and see if it's just an issue of inflation. If not, there could be a problem with alignment. It might be best to take it to an auto shop to diagnose the problem before it causes a major issue.

Keep Your Battery Corrosion-free: Wintertime can be tough on a battery. Go to an auto shop on a very cold day, and you'll plenty of people there shopping for a new battery.  Therefore, fall is a good time to take a look at your battery and check all connections for corrosion. It might be a good idea to get your battery tested as well to make sure it will be up to the challenge of winter.

Make Sure Your HVAC System Is in Good Working Order: You probably won't be using your AC anytime soon, but you will definitely need your heater and defroster. Your heater will more be for comfort, so it's not exactly necessary, but your defroster can be a life-saver, especially if you experience ice or snow. Check your HVAC system now before more extreme weather hits. Additionally, it might be a good idea to check your windshield wipers. They should be replaced approximately twice a year.

Evaluate Your Brakes: Your brakes are obviously crucial, but especially in the winter time during treacherous conditions, like snow or ice. Therefore, it might be a good idea to have a professional check your brakes to make sure all components are in working order. Getting a rotor replaced will be far less expensive than waiting and increasing the risk of your brake system failing.

As Ned Stark would say, winter is coming. Get prepared for it by getting your car checked now. Staying on top of all maintenance now may benefit you when you need your car running properly the most.