The temperatures are cooling down in Lincolnton, NC, which means wetter, colder weather is right around the corner. You can prepare your vehicle for seasonal driving in the autumn with just a few key maintenance tasks.
Brakes
Stopping power is vital on roads impacted by inclement weather in Gastonia. Your brakes are one of your vehicle's most important safety systems, so it's important to keep them functioning properly with prompt brake pad changes and inspections. While your brake pads wear down at a rate that results from your personal driving patterns, your brake fluid has a fairly predictable replacement schedule of every two years or 30,000 miles unless you're hauling heavy loads with your vehicle that might necessitate more frequent fluid replacement.
Fluids
Preparing for Hickory's colder weather includes a check of the various fluids that keep your engine performing properly. Foremost among these is your motor oil, which is responsible for lubricating precision engine parts and keeping them free from particulates. Colder temperatures make your oil thicker and less efficient. If it's dirty, that just adds to the problem. Your technician can ensure your oil is clean and has an excellent viscosity rating to handle cooler temperatures. They'll also top up antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and any other engine fluids that are low.
Tires
Hickory's roads will be getting slipperier with the combination of lower temperatures, precipitation, and loose leaves. The tires you used throughout the summer may not be the best choice for grip now that fall is coming, particularly if you have a set of summer tires currently installed. Your best option for increased traction is to choose a set of all-seasons that provide a more aggressive tread or even go for a full winter tire for the ultimate grip in a variety of weather conditions. Your technician can give you advice on the perfect tire based on how you plan to use your vehicle.
If you've got all-season tires you've been using through the summer and don't plan on changing to a different tread, it's a great time to have these rotated to avoid uneven wear patterns.
Engine
Extremes of temperature take their toll on your battery. If you've got an aging battery, hot summer temperatures may have pushed it to the limit, leaving it weak and vulnerable to colder temperatures. A battery strength test is part of a seasonal engine inspection and can help to predict how your battery will react to the different challenges that come with fall driving. You'll also want a technician to look for telltale signs of trouble under the hood, like unexplained fluid leaks, fraying belts, cracking hoses, or straining gaskets. You don't want any of these failing just as the weather takes a turn for the worse.
We're Ready to Help at Abernethy Chevy Buick GMC
At Abernethy Chevy Buick GMC, we drive the same roads in Lincolnton, NC that you do. That makes us experts in the best way to prepare for seasonal fall driving. You can bring your vehicle in for a thorough autumn inspection that includes checking your engine systems, topping up low fluids, addressing any tire issues, and getting your brakes ready for any challenging seasonal driving. You can book an appointment with us right online. Our technicians can answer any questions unique to your driving situation during your visit, like what tires are best for towing in slippery conditions or if you should change your oil's viscosity rating for cooler temperatures.