What Vehicle Maintenance Tasks Should You Do

Winter is here, which means summer is behind us and winter is coming. With the changing seasons having different effects on vehicles, this is the perfect time to do regular vehicle maintenance.

Winter presents many challenges for drivers and vehicles. This is why it is so important to be prepared during the Fall.

These are six vehicle maintenance tasks that you should add to your Fall checklist:

Oil Change

While your oil level may be fine for now, colder temperatures can make oil more vulnerable to freezing and the engine-less susceptible to it. You need to keep your oil lubricated in order to stay in top shape for the next months.

Oil needs to be changed once every 5,000 miles. You've probably done a lot of traveling during summer, so you likely have accumulated a lot of these. To ensure that everything continues to work well into winter, it's a good idea to get an oil change in the fall.

Defrosters and Heaters Must Work

You can see that your heaters will be more active in fall and winter than usual. Make sure to check them regularly, especially if they haven't been on during the summer.

Also, make sure to check your defrosters. You don't want a frozen windshield you have to scrape on a cold fall morning.

Check Battery

Combining colder temperatures and more frequent use of heaters can cause more stress to the battery. It's worth taking the battery in to have it checked and, if necessary, replaced. To ensure that the wire is connected properly, you can also clean out the connections.

Check Lights

Now is the best time to check all of your lights if you have not done so by the end of summer. Fall brings shorter days and longer nights. This means that your lights will be used more often and you'll need to ensure they work properly.

To ensure that everything works, including the headlines, emergency lights, brake lights, and taillights, make sure you check them all. No bulbs should be replaced. You might also want to clean them, as they may have accumulated dirt, dust, and bugs from the summer.

Replace or Clean Windshield Wipers

Although you may not have used windshield wipers in the summer, that will likely change when it comes to fall. Wipers must be clear and clean. Otherwise, they can't clean the windshield well and can pose a safety risk to drivers who drive in the rain. Check your windshield wipers regularly for cracks or signs of wear, and replace them immediately if damaged.

Check Tires

Because of the more dangerous road conditions, tires must be in excellent condition for winter and fall. If the pressure is too low, fill them with air. Also, inspect the treads for wear and replace if necessary.