Fall is almost here, and it’s coming with a chilly surprise. When temperatures start to drop, get ready to face all sorts of car-related challenges – from thickening motor oil to drying car batteries. The roads will start to become dangerously slippery too. If those tires fail to maintain grip, you might be in for a scary slide. Of course, you can avoid the full brunt of the cold season by doing these five car maintenance steps.
Change old motor oil
When was the last time you had an oil change? If it was at least three months ago, you must change your oil before the cool fall air takes hold. Old oil is more prone to coagulation during cold weather than new oil. When the motor oil is too viscous to lubricate the powertrain, the engine has a hard time working. Not only does this reduce your car’s performance, but it puts the engine at risk of breakage if the resistance continues to build up.
Install new brakes
If your Kia from Santa Fe, NM still has the old, beat-up brakes, it’s time to swap them out. With roads turning more slippery, you’ll need more traction on the road to avoid a collision. Check the brakes for wear and tear. Watch out for unusual noises as they may signify failing brake pads. New ones might cost you a few hundred bucks, but that’s nothing compared to what you might need to spend if you figure in a crash. Don’t risk your and your family’s safety over a few savings.
Get all-season tires
Your car’s tires could mean the difference between a safe trip and an accident. The roads may not be as slippery as they are in winter, but it doesn’t change the fact that your car needs a better grip on the surface. You can either rotate your tires to maximize their new tread or replace them with all-season car tires. Also, see to it that they all have the correct air pressure. Like hot weather, cold weather can cause tires to deflate quickly.
Have the defroster ready
You may not need this one a lot, but freezing winter wind may blow in from time to time and get your windshield all fogged up and icy. Make sure the defrosters are working fine and can blow enough warm air to melt away anything that obscures your vision. Try to feel the vents if there’s air coming out. If there’s none, the vents are probably clogged. Remove anything that blocks the air passage.
Don’t forget the battery
While fall offers bearable temperatures for your car battery, there will be instances when the temperatures can be dangerously low. And that could cause your battery’s charge to drop. So watch out for the changes in your battery’s cold-cranking amperage. Make sure it stays high to keep your battery apt to handle extreme weather conditions.
Taking care of your Kia from Santa Fe, NM takes commitment. But knowing that it helps prevent any problems that might endanger your life or cost you a fortune to fix, you’ll find it easy to do. No matter the season, make sure your car is always in tip-top shape. Check out Fiesta Kia for more helpful tips.
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