Five Auto Services You Shouldn’t Skip This Fall: Fall Maintenance Guide
When the cool fall temperatures hit, it’s important to make sure that your car is prepared for the coming change in season. Our fall maintenance guide highlights the different areas of your car that you should pay special attention to this month. Here are five fall auto services you shouldn't skip this season.
Battery
Varying temperatures can have a huge impact on car batteries, especially when the cold autumn weather finally rolls in. Even with regular use, batteries usually need to be replaced every three to five years. Older batteries that have grown weak with time tend to lose charge even faster when the temperature drops. Having your battery and charging system evaluated will help to ensure you never find yourself stranded or struggling to get a jump.
Engine
Cold weather can also exacerbate lingering engine issues, such as slow acceleration or difficulty starting. A simple tune-up can help improve engine performance and extend the overall lifespan of your engine. Our technicians will perform visual and diagnostic checks of your spark plugs, oxygen sensors, distributor caps, brakes, and more to make sure your drive is as safe as possible.
Filters
The increase in traveling over the summer often increases the amount of debris entering your car's filtration system. This build-up can lead to trouble by the end of the season. Our techs have all of the filters your car needs to keep it running smoothly. Whether you need oil filters, cabin filters, fuel, coolant, or transmission filters, we'll make sure your engine is outfitted with the proper ones for your vehicle.
Tires
Drivers tend to rack up miles on their tires during vacations and road trips in the summer months. This isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but the colder weather can have a big impact on tire health. Drivers should inspect tires for wear at the start of the season and check that they're properly inflated. This helps to ensure that the tread can safely and efficiently provide you with the best traction on the road, especially as roads start to get icy in November. Always make sure to have your spare tire checked as well, in case of a flat.
Read more about tire health here.
Fluids
From topping off the fluid for your windshield wipers and coolant to oil changes and transmission flushes, our ASE-certified technicians can help with all of the necessary fluids your car needs. We can also recommend products specific to your vehicle and your driving, to help maximize your vehicle's performance and longevity.
Fall Auto Services At V&F
Don’t let the cold weather sneak up on you. Proactively scheduling fall auto services will set your car up for success when colder weather comes— and could save you from costly repairs later in the season. Call us at (413)314-2280 to discuss your maintenance schedule, or schedule an appointment online.
This article was originally published in 2020 and has been updated.