End of Summer Car Care
The start of a new season means that it’s time to give your car a little bit of extra TLC. The fall and winter months have different effects and demands on your car, not to mention our extreme South Carolina heat can have detrimental effects on your vehicle and if maintenance is neglected, you could see even further damage (and dollar signs) down the road.
In any new season, it is always smart to give your car a quick top to bottom maintenance check. The main components to keep in mind are:
Battery – Heat is the real enemy of a long battery life, meaning damage that’s done over the summer months shows up with increased demands on the battery when the weather returns to colder. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment.
Defroster/Heater – Make sure they’re in good working condition for your good visibility as well as your own comfort.
Engine – Cold weather will only make existing engine problems worse making it important to have any driveability problems checked out by a professional repair shop.
Exhaust – It’s important to periodically get your car up on a lift to check for leaks in your exhaust, which can be deadly if gone unnoticed.
Lights – Inspect all headlights and taillights for burned out bulbs. Lights become much more important as Daylight Savings approaches bringing us longer periods of darkness.
Oil – Make sure to change your oil and oil filter routinely – usually approximately every 3,000 miles.
Recalls – There have been several recalls lately. Check online or call your car dealer to find out if there have been any recalls that apply to your vehicle to have them taken care of.
Tires – Tires becomes increasingly more important in the winter, because bad tires will be virtually useless in winter weather. While, South Carolina may not be known for months of snow, we do average at least one storm a year and without an abundance of snow removal equipment, your tires could end up being your key to safety. Make sure you check for tread life, uneven wearing and cupping.
Windshield Wipers – In every season, it is always important to check the condition of your windshield wipers. You rely on them to maintain your visibility in hazardous weather conditions so it is always important to make sure they’re up for the task!
Many times, problems with basic components like your battery, fluids, belts, engine hoses, lights, & brakes just to name a few, start to manifest once the weather gets colder. If this list seems daunting, one of the easiest and quickest ways to make sure your car is in tip top shape is to have it checked out by professionals. We are currently running a special FREE back-to-school car inspection here at C&G Auto so you can feel at ease knowing your vehicle is reliable for all your upcoming drop-offs, car-pools and traveling this school year.
Although it’s always sad to say goodbye to summer, fall brings many fun activities, festivals and sports for the whole family to enjoy here in Myrtle Beach and beyond! Make sure you can count on your car this school year to get you to and from every destination safely. Give us a call at (843) 839-3691 to schedule your appointment!