As summer fades away and winter begins to creep in, fall is always the season of change. Fall is known for plenty of things: the leaves changing colour, more frigid temperatures, and, of course, vehicle owners preparing their cars for winter with fall maintenance.
To help you prepare for the fall season change, we’ve created this blog to help answer the top five questions used car owners commonly ask to prepare their vehicles for the fall season.
The Top 5 Common Fall Used Car Maintenance Questions
It’s best to treat the Fall season as a precursor to the harsh winter weather that will soon arrive. Cold weather can make specific components of your vehicle more susceptible to damage. It can make it more difficult for tires to keep their traction on the road, the windshield more likely to get chips and cracks, and many other common issues. Some of the most common questions about fall maintenance include the following.
Do I Need to Change My Tires for Fall?
Although Fall isn’t as well known for its freezing, frosty temperatures, it can still be wet, slippery, and hazardous. When the temperature consistently hovers around or below freezing, the rubber compounds in non-winter tires can harden, decreasing their traction on the road. Living in Evansville, we can see a lot of rainfall and early snow, so it’s recommended to switch to all-season tires or, at minimum, check the tread depth on your current tires.
Do I Have To Replace My Wiper Blades?
Worn-out wiper blades can streak, smear, and not properly clear your windshield, impairing your visibility on the road. It’s a good idea to replace your windshield wipers with winterized ones. These wipers are a little heavier than traditional wipers and come equipped with a rubber that keeps ice from collecting on the blades, making them more efficient at handling cold, frosty weather.
Should I Check My Car’s Heating System?
It’s absolutely crucial to ensure your vehicle’s heating system and defrosters are working properly before the winter season fully arrives. By checking all these components it helps ensure that not only you’ll be kept warm while driving and in emergency situations but also that you’ll have proper visibility. If you find that any of your components aren’t working properly, you’ll want to make sure to have them addressed in the fall.
Is There Anything I Need To Do With My Car Battery in the Fall?
Yes! Before the frost sets in, there’s a little bit of battery maintenance to do in the Fall. Batteries are particularly susceptible to temperature. The summer heat can increase corrosion inside the battery and shorten its lifespan. By the time fall rolls around, your battery can begin losing its charge. Cars already have a difficult time starting in colder temperatures, so it’s important to have your battery inspected in the fall before winter.
Do I Need To Change Or Just Check My Oil Levels?
One of the most important things you can do in the fall to prepare your vehicle for winter is to double-check your oil level. The oil lubricates the engine’s internal moving parts, allowing it to run efficiently without wear. If your oil is low, it can cause your engine to wear prematurely to the point of complete engine failure. Cold weather can make certain brands of oil thicker, which makes it harder for the engine to turn over. If your car’s oil change is coming up, you might want to consider switching to synthetic oil. Synthetic oil doesn’t contain waxes like other traditional oils, which means it flows better in colder weather.
How Edge AutoSports Can Help You Find The Best Used Cars In Evansville
With the right maintenance and care, a used car can continuously go through multiple seasons. Used cars can be a great investment when you purchase them from the right dealership. Here at Edge AutoSports, we take pride in our used car inventory. We understand that buyers can have some reservations when it comes to used cars. This is why we back our vehicles with vehicle history reports, extended warranties, and more.
To learn more about our used cars inventory, contact us or drop on into our Evansville Dealership today!
