As the leaves fall and the cold weather approaches, everyone begins to feel a little football fever. Just like the greatest coaches check their starting line-ups each year, make sure that your vehicle’s most important parts and systems aren’t corroded, empty, deflated or worn out. Firestone Complete Auto Care offers the following tips to ensure your vehicle is ready for fall after a long, hot summer.
Run some drills.
* Remember to have your belts, hoses, air filters, windshield wipers, lights, fluids, and battery cables and terminals all checked by a professional before the fall season begins.
* Fall weather can be wet and dreary. One way to prepare your vehicle for the wet weather is to check the tire treads with the “penny test.” Insert a penny in the tread, Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tread is worn and the tire probably needs to be replaced.
* Make sure to have your tires rotated according to the schedule in your vehicle’s maintenance guide — usually every 5,000 miles. Regular rotation will even out the wear patterns on your tires.
Hydrate.
* Check your vehicle’s fluid levels, including transmission, brake, power steering, windshield washer fluids and coolant to make sure they’re properly filled.
Get some air.
* You can’t tell if a tire needs air just by looking at it. The only sure-fire way to determine if your tire needs air is with a tire gauge. The tire could be six to 10 PSI under-inflated and still look fine.
Having a creative playbook is a must for any successful football team, but having a well-maintained vehicle is a must for any driver. So blitz the bad weather, and make sure your car is well equipped for this fall. (NewsUSA)
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