Machine Maintenance: 8 Ways to Prep Your Car This Fall: What to Know

If fall is coming and you think that the summer was hard on your vehicle, you’ll want to take it in and have it serviced for the fall and to prepare for the winter. Here are some of the things that you want done to the vehicle.

Fluid Check and Replacement

A tune-up to check all fluids is crucial throughout the year, but you want to have the coolant refilled or replaced after the summer when the air conditioner was used. Have all fluids checked, topped off, or replaced if any are dirty.

Air Filter Replacement

If the air filter in your vehicle hasn’t been replaced and is clogged, it’s going to affect how your engine runs. This will also cause issues with your fuel economy, so have the filter checked at oil changes and replaced when needed.

Tire Balance and Rotation

Check the pressure in your tires regularly, and have the tires balanced and rotated to prevent uneven wearing. Uneven wearing can affect how the vehicle feels when you drive, how it handles, the life of your tires, and it can affect the fuel use.

Exterior Detail and Waxing

Have the vehicle detailed to clean off the dirt and sand it could have been exposed to over the summer. After you have the car cleaned and the scratches buffed out, have wax put on the exterior. This prevents damage from the falling leaves and other debris during fall.

Interior Cleaning and Deodorizing

If the summer brought in grass, dirt, sand, and other debris to the inside of your car, have the interior carpeting and upholstery cleaned professionally. Remove soils and staining, and have a deodorizing cleansing agent used to keep the car smelling new.

Transmission Flush

If it’s been at least 50,000 miles since you’ve last had the transmission on the vehicle flushed, you’ll want to have a mechanic perform the service. This keeps the transmission lean, helps the car run more smoothly, and preserves the transmission for the time you own the car.

Brake Pad Replacement

Replace the brake pads to ensure you can stop when you want, and help preserve the tires on your vehicle. You should also have the rotors checked out when the pads are replaced. You want this done before the cold weather, ice and snow hit. Brake fluid should be replaced when all other fluids are checked in the tune-up.

Battery Check

As temperatures start to drop it can cause the battery to drain, and it can be difficult for a battery in poor condition to stay charged. Have the battery tested to see if it needs to be replaced before the fall hits.

Create a maintenance schedule with the things you want to do to your vehicle annually, quarterly and more. This can help you maintain your vehicle to hold its value. The experts at Jack Burford Chevrolet recommend a maintenance schedule based on the year and model of your car.