This September 22nd will mark the official beginning of the fall season. The changing of a season often serves as a good reminder to perform any service or maintenance your car needs.
As fall transitions into winter, you could be driving in some extreme conditions. So, getting the jump on routine maintenance ahead of time is always a good idea. In addition to routine vehicle maintenance, the start of fall can be a good time to consider some safe driving suggestions. While these tips apply to any time you’re driving, now is a good time to refresh your memory.
Routine Maintenance
Your car has several systems that need to be checked and maintained on a regular basis. Cars are durable and can last you for many years – well past a decade. But the only way to make sure your car performs consistently and lasts a long time is to stay current with routine maintenance. Not only will your car last longer and develop fewer problems, but more importantly you’ll also be safer on the road.
Bringing your car in to our professionals can save you a lot of time and hassle: Our Certified & Trained Mechanics know what systems need to be checked and can run through them all for you. But you can also act as your own first line of defense. The following are some automotive systems that require periodic checking and maintenance.
Tires
When it comes to vehicle safety, the condition and performance of your tires is crucial. Your car weighs thousands of pounds and, at times, travels at speeds more than 60 miles per hour. Your tires are your car’s sole point of contact with the road surface. Stopping, turning, and any other changes in speed are impacted by the condition of your tires.
If your tires are worn or otherwise not functioning correctly, the safety of all passengers is at risk. Tires simply wear out through usage and time, and eventually need to be replaced. The exact guidelines as to when you need new tires will vary depending on the tires on the car and the conditions in which you drive. In perfect conditions and with high quality tires, you might be able to get 50,000 miles or more before needing replacement. However, that’s not most typical but a best-case scenario.
There are several things that can greatly reduce the lifespan of your tires. Driving with low (or excessive) air pressure will cause your tires to wear unevenly. Alignment and other suspension problems can also rapidly wear out your tires. Unevenly worn tires are dangerous, both because they perform worse and are more susceptible to a sudden blow out. Our Certified Technicians can examine your tires to see if your tires are wearing unevenly and diagnose the cause of the problem before you need new tires. But periodic inspections and prevention is key.
Brakes
We’ve likely all had at least one time in our lives when we’ve had to slam on the brakes. If something unexpected happens, it’s important to know that our brake system is working at peak performance. There are few things as terrifying as suddenly finding that the brakes aren’t responding as they should be.
Over time, the braking system wears out in a few predictable areas. One of the most common is the brake pads. Brake pads act as the external gripping surface between brake rotors and calipers. As such, they experience extreme heat and friction and will wear down over time. It’s possible to check your own brake pads and even replace them if you have the know-how and time.
Other areas that are prone to breakdown or wearing out are brake discs (rotors). Often, these breakdowns are the result of ignoring a minor problem. For instance, a worn-out brake pad will cause either the brake pad backing plate or the caliper to rub directly against the brake rotor. This can ruin the rotor and lead to you needing to replace the rotor or the caliper, a repair that is considerably more costly than the price of just brake pads alone.
Fluid Levels
Your car has several systems that use a variety of fluids. The most thought of fluid system is your engine and engine oil. Everyone knows that vehicles require periodic oil changes to maintain engine good function and lifespan. But there are a handful of other systems in your car that use fluids and can require a periodic flush out or fluid replacement.
Engine Oil
The engine is the one that almost everyone is familiar with. Engine oil keeps your engine lubricated and prevents it from overheating and breaking down. You should pay attention to your oil levels and get an oil change around once every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on the type of oil and vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
Brake Fluid
Getting back to the brakes again – The braking system is a hydraulic system, which means it’s powered by pressurized brake fluid. This brake fluid can become contaminated over time, requiring a periodic flush. We recommend flushing brake fluid at least every two years, or per vehicle manufacturer’s recommended interval. Your brake system can also sometimes develop a leak. If your brakes aren’t performing at peak levels, it’s time to come in for a brake inspection. Your car’s radiator, power steering system, and transmission all contain fluids as well.
Conclusion
You don’t need to check on these fluids as frequently as you do your engine oil. But it doesn’t hurt to be aware of them and periodically inspect them. Make sure that levels are appropriate and that the fluid is still in good shape. Fluid breakdown is the most common condition that leads to the demise of the system or components they serve. Finally, don’t forget about your windshield washer fluid. A big part of driving safely is being able to see where you’re going. Making sure you have an adequate level of windshield washer fluid covers your bases if you find yourself driving in dirty or dusty conditions.
Seat Belts and Child Safety
None of us ever want to imagine that we’re going to get into a car accident. But even with the best driving practices, it can happen. If you do find yourself in a car accident, your seat belt or child seats can literally save your life. A big part of being able to drive safely is having the peace of mind to know that you’re protected even in the worst case. This should hopefully go without saying, but don’t ever drive if a seatbelt in use by either yourself or a passenger is broken.
Even for short periods of time, this would be a dangerous practice. Make it a priority to come in for repair of any seat belt that breaks. This goes double for car seats or any safety equipment for babies and children. Children are especially vulnerable in car accidents and are easily jolted by fast turns or sudden stops. So, it’s important to make frequent inspections of child safety equipment and repair or replace the faulty item as soon as you find anything wrong.
Driving Tips
If your vehicle is in tip-top shape, the half the job’s done in terms of vehicle safety. The other half is actually driving safely. Hopefully you’re already a driver with good habits as a motorist. But a refresher every now and then can’t hurt. Here are a few things we see too many people out on the road not heeding.
Tailgating
When traffic is bumper to bumper during rush hour or in the city, sometimes you can’t help but drive extremely close to the car in front of you. But whenever you can avoid it, you should leave at least a few car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.
You never know when the car in front of you is going to slam on the brakes. And if you rear-end the car in front of you when they brake, most times you’ll be found at fault for the accident. Leaving a safe following distance gives you more time to react. And that extra second or two of reaction time can be the difference between an accident or not.
Limit the Phone Use
By now, everyone has been inundated by messages warning about the dangers of texting and driving. And for good reason: The number of car accidents caused by drivers distracted by their phones has risen sharply. “In 2020, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Even talking on the phone using speakerphone should be avoided whenever possible. Any distraction while you’re on the road makes it more likely that you’ll react badly to an unexpected incident. But anything that takes your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel is especially bad. You can wait until you get there to read your text messages.
Expect the Unexpected
The difference between getting into an accident or not can be as simple as how closely you’re paying attention. If your mind is on autopilot while driving, you could be fine right up until the point when something unexpected happens. Unfortunately, that’s the moment when you need to be alert and attentive. Driving can seem like a rote and boring activity, and it’s tempting to let your mind wander. Instead, try to anticipate any issues that may come up on the road. If you’ve already thought about what you’ll do if it happens, you’re that much quicker toward taking measures to avoid whatever problem arises.
