Whether your car is old or newer, it’s a good idea to do a couple of checks on it before the weather gets too unbearable. By keeping an eye on a few main components and knowing how to spot warning signs, you can save yourself the hassle of dealing with car issues in the winter. This is your car maintenance checklist for the fall.
Car Battery
Your car’s battery is among the most important parts of starting your car. While there are other important components, turning on your car without a working battery is impossible. Luckily, checking on its status is not hard. After opening the hood and locating the battery, keep an eye out for any dried battery acid, aged cables, or grime along the surface. Getting it checked afterward is the best way to know whether you need to replace it.
Drive Shaft
Especially when you are driving in the winter, being able to control your car is important. For the sake of your and your passengers’ safety, it’s good to know the signs of a bad drive shaft, which indicate something is wrong with your car. Since the drive shaft is the main component for transferring your engine’s energy into torque for your wheels, you don’t want it going bad on an icy road.
Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers are an often underappreciated part of many people’s cars. However, they come in handy during heavy flurries when snow sticks to your windows and muddles your vision. While always having a spare set of wipers is wise, replace them every 12 months to ensure they do not leave streaks or marks on the windshield.
Checking your car and driving it in the winter are things most people do not enjoy. Make your life easier by doing those checks before the cold season kicks in. When you complete your car maintenance checklist for the fall, you are in a better position to keep your car in good condition during the winter.
