We hate to remind you, but a new school year is right around the corner. Back-to-school time can be very busy for students and parents alike. Whether you’re headed to school, or sending a child off to school, this is a perfect time to make sure your car (or theirs) is reliable and safe.
Make maintenance a priority before the school year by checking off these important car care tips:
Check your tires
It’s important to check the tread wear level the vehicle’s tires. Tires that don’t have enough tread are dangerous and could jeopardize your safety while braking or during inclement weather. We also recommend checking the tire pressure at least once a month. The vehicle’s owner manual will state the optimal PSI for the vehicle.
The tires should be be rotated regularly, as it will maintain fuel efficiency and prevent irregular wear and tear. During an oil change, we can balance and align your tires to stop them from wearing out early.
Get an oil change
When was the last time you got an oil change? If you have a newer vehicle, you can use the oil life monitor to show when you’re due for an oil change. Check the monitor regularly to have your car’s oil changed on time. The vehicle’s owner manual also has recommended oil change intervals. When you get an oil change, keep a note of the milage to determine when your next one should be. Getting regular oil changes helps to prevent friction and keep wear to a minimum.
Have the brakes checked
The brakes on a vehicle might be bad if you experience squealing while braking, vibration on the steering while while stopping, a slower stopping time, grinding, or odd smells while applying the brakes. If you've noticed any of the above signs don’t wait—take your car in to have your brakes inspected. Bad brakes not only reduces stopping time, but could prevent stopping altogether, which is dangerous to you, your child, and everyone on the road.
Replace wiper blades
As a rule of thumb, you should have your windshield wiper blades replaced in the spring and fall. If you’re experiencing streaking and unclear vision, replace them sooner. Proper windshield wiper blades are important when it comes to driving in rainy or snowy weather.
CHECK THE BATTERY
Lastly, have your car’s battery checked to see how much life it has. Nobody likes getting into their car and finding out the battery is dead, especially when they have important responsibilities to tend to. Checking your battery is fairly simple, but our professional technicians can help if you don’t know where to begin.
If you run into any concerns, one of our qualified technicians will perform a free inspection and help resolve maintenance issues to get you or your child on the road to an awesome school year. If you have any questions, contact us today!