Practical Tips On How to Prepare Your Car For Fall
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Fall is upon us, and with that comes prepping your car for the colder months. I am going to share some simple and practical tips on how to prepare your car for Fall weather. Driving safe during the fall takes more than just a little driving safety, you need to make sure your car receives the TLC it needs.
Below are the simple but overlooked steps to help get your car ready for the Fall season. One thing I have learned over the years is to make sure you take really good care of your car. The better care and maintenance you put into your car, the longer it will last and fewer breakdowns along the way.
Practical Tips On How to Prepare Your Car For Fall
Wash and Wax Car
If you live in an area where the weather gets icy and snowy, you might give your car a good wash and wax job. The road salt they lay for storms is great for keeping the roads safe, but it can wreak havoc on your car’s exterior. Make sure to wash behind and around the tire wells, grill, and anywhere the salt may hit. Then do a good wax job, to add a layer of protection to your exterior. It’s highly recommended to wash your car after each snow or ice storm so that it gets the road salt off your car. It can cause a lot of damage.
Replace Wiper Blades
If you haven’t done this recently, schedule a service appointment, at your local dealership, to replace your blades on the windshield. They can get cracked and worn over time, and won’t work well. You want to make sure your blades are working well for the rain, snow, and ice that could come in the Fall.
Inspect Belts, Fluids, and Hoses
If you are capable inspect your belts, fluids, and hoses. If you are not handy in this department to take your car in to get a look over. This is important as colder weather can really leave you stranded if a belt breaks or cracks from the cold. Having the right levels of fluids like anti-freeze, oil, power steering, and more allows your car to run at the optimal level. 
Tires
Make sure your tires have good tread, no cracks or tears in them, and are in good shape. You also want to make sure you have the right level of air in the tires and have a spare just in case something happens. Tires lose air more quickly when the temperatures are colder. Check your tire pressure each month.
Battery Checked
Get your battery checked, to make sure it is looking good and no signs of corrosion on the terminals, or cable ends. Make sure the connection is good and it isn’t expiring soon.
Heater and Defrost
Check your defrost and heater to ensure they are working. Having fogged up windows and a defrost that won’t work could cause an accident. This is important to do before the weather turns bad and you find yourself in a tough spot.
Check Your Lights
Go around your car and check all the lights: taillights, headlights, parking lights, blinkers, brake lights, etc. Make sure they are all working and you can see them well. Fix any lights that won’t work or are damaged. 
If you’re in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle in the Houston, TX area, visit the Northwest Dodge dealership, our partners for this feature. You know the success of a smooth drive always lies with the reliability of the vehicle you own.
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