Winterize Your Car !
Winterize and inspection !
Its that time of the year again and your vehicle needs to be prepared for winter ! Im just going to make this a short read for a quick reference. Below will be a few tips and checks to be made for your safety and save you money!
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades are one of the most overlooked items to be inspected annually. They have spent a long hot summer baking away and slowly deteriorating to a useless state. I have had to charge customers many times for blades that were stuck to the glass. They cook all summer and become glued to the glass and the first time it rains you turn them on. What can happen ? The motor amperage spikes blows the fuse and the wipers stop working. You take your car to a repair shop and they charge you 1hr diagnosis for an electrical failure. They find the blown fuse after the diagnosis replace the fuse and break the wipers free. You get charged 1hr diagnosis for the fuse and charged for a fuse, new wipers, and installation. What did it cost you . The other option could have been they broke free and the worn rubber falls off and puts a nice big scratch in the glass.
1hr labor $90.00 ,List price on wipers and fuse $32.00 , A scary ride in the rain with no wipers !
A 5 second inspection and a stop at Walmart or Kragens would have been about $15.00 Dont overlook the possibility of a accident because your wipers are worn and making it hard to see during a downpour.
Tires
Take the time to inspect all 4 tires and the spare for the correct air pressure and wear. As it gets cooler outside your tire pressure will drop and should be adjusted. Look at the tread depth, the wear, and sidewall condition for cracks. A marginal tire that seemed fine during the dry hot summer may fail to hold traction under cold wet conditions and put you at risk of a spin out. Check the pressure in the spare and be prepared by making sure your jack and lug wrench are accessible. Proper air pressure is not the spec on the tire, check the door sticker or your owners manual for proper inflation. Proper tire inflation will also increase your fuel mileage so take advantage !
A simple way to save gas and put some money in your pocket