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Fall is the time of year when you should start to plan on doing needed maintenace to prepare your vehicle(s) for the cold months ahead. However, the information provided herein can be important for any time of the year. Keeping your vehicle properly maintained will extend the life of your vehicle, avoid costly repairs, and help prevent accidents. Below you will find reminders and tips to help you create your list.
Body
In Michigan we well know what snow, ice, salt and loose gravel can do to a vehicle. Those little nicks or scratches in the paint will turn to rust. You can have these professionally restored where the damage becomes invisible or you can purchase a bit of touch up paint and do the job yourself.
Lights
Poorly aligned, dim or burned out lights make it difficult to see and make it difficult for other drivers to see where you are driving or intending to turn; thus putting you at greater risk for an accident.
Windshield
A chip in a windshield can turn to a crack from the stress of the temperature change due to freezing exterior cold and the warm interior of your car. A chip can be repaired for as little as $50...replacing a windshield once it's cracked can be hundreds of dollars...depending upon your insurance coverage and deductible. It's always best to repair a windshield when that's an option to retain the factory seal of the windshield to the body of the vehicle to avoid air and water leaks.
Fluids
Keeping fluids level and changing them when recommended is the least expensive and easiest preventive maintenance you can do for your vehicles. Keep your windshield washer fluid filled (and replace worn windshield wipers as necessary), and change your oil about every 2,500 to 3,000 miles to extend the life of and protect your engine. Engine coolant should be changed about every 2 years and should be diluted 50% with water to prevent freezing. Transmission fluid should also be replaced about every two years. And make certain that power steering, brake, radiator and battery fluids are filled to recommended levels.
Battery
A batteries average life span is approximately 3 1/2 years. If your battery is at this stage in life or older have it checked and replaced if necessary, and at the same time your mechanic will also check the cables so as to ensure your car starts quickly and reliably come cold weather.
Spark Plugs
Worn or misfiring spark plugs affect how efficiently a vehicle burns its fuel/air mixture which will affect engine performance by wasting gas and increasing exhaust emissions.
Rubber
Rubber isn't just for tires, however, worn, underinflated, or poorly aligned or balanced tires greatly increase the chance of accidents in rain, snow and icy conditions. Have tires checked when in doubt and rotate them about every 6,000 miles. You may want to change to snow tires for the winter months for added traction.
Other parts under your hood need attention too. Inspect heater, radiator, and vacuum hoses, belts and all rubber parts for cracks, splits, bulges, or other damage and replace as needed.
Brakes
It's dangerous to drive with poorly performing brakes, especially in rain, ice and snow. Postponing brake service is not only dangerous, but can also increase the cost of replacing worn brakes to possibly overhauling your entire brake system.
Boots
Boots protect CV (constant velocity) joints on front-wheel drive vehicles that are equipped with them. During winter months when there is salt, ice and snow, if a boot is ripped or cracked, damage can occur to the joint. Replacing a damaged boot is much less expensive than replacing a joint.
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