Pretty soon, the frost will be on the pumpkin and that should signal it’s time to start thinking about getting your vehicle ready for the colder weather ahead.
Here are some fall car care tips from the experts at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), who warn motorists that winter is a dangerous time for an automotive breakdown.
* Begin with the basics. Review your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s service intervals.
* Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer fluid on hand. Check that all lights and bulbs are working.
* If you’re not a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, find a repair shop with a courteous staff, ASE-certified technicians and modern equipment.
* Replace worn tires with all-season radials or snow tires, as conditions warrant; don’t forget to check the spare tire and jack. This is a good time to have alignment problems corrected.
* Correct engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration or hard starts) before cold weather sets in.
* Have a qualified auto
technician check the condition of your battery and cables, plus the...