Now that Fall is upon us, we wanted to remind you that now is a great time to have your vehicle inspected and to perform important maintenance work. Before we know it, the Winter cold will be here and your cars, vans, and small trucks will be taxed by the extreme weather conditions typically found in Chicagoland.
Among the most critical areas to check this Fall are your:
• Blades. Wiper blades that were installed new last spring may be ready for replacement this fall. Over time wiper blades develop cracks and tears. In addition, wipers tend to build up a thin layer of grime during the summer that keeps the rubber blade from contacting the glass, which could result in smeared windshields and poor visibility.
• Batteries.
• Brakes. A thorough inspection at Duxler includes a “wheels-on” inspection – to help identify wheel alignment problems, sticking calipers or warped rotors – as well as a “wheels-off” inspection of the various brake parts. We also check the brake fluid. Low levels can cause a dangerous loss of braking performance.
• Belts and Hoses. Waiting until a belt or hose breaks is too late, leaving you stranded until it is replaced. To check the status of your engine belts yourself, inspect for cracking and pliability. If they are rigid, they should be replaced. Hoses deteriorate from the inside out. Have us test them for spongy, brittle or bulging areas.
In addition to inspecting the “4 Bs,” Duxler’s fall maintenance program includes:
- Changing the oil
- Checking the radiator fluid levels
- Inspecting or replacing the oil filter and the air and cabin filters
- Inspecting the heating and exhaust systems
- Balancing and aligning the wheels
- Topping off all fluids
- Examining lights to make sure they work and that headlights are properly aimed
- Rotating the tires, checking the tire pressure and inspecting the treads for wear
