Page 20 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – September/October 2018

AAA
TM
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
ASK THE TECH
QUESTION
What should I do to get my vehicle ready for the fall driving season?
ANSWER
As the dog days of summer begin to cool and fall colors begin to emerge, now is a good time to think about preparations for fall driving.
Wiper blades have been baking on hot windshields all summer. These only last a year at most, so replace them now in preparation for upcoming frosty mornings. Fill the washer reservoir to melt the frost, and clean the windshield to reduce glare from the morning and evening sun.
Is the battery more than three years old? Have it tested to see if it will last through the soon-to- be winter weather.
Lower temperatures mean tire pressures will drop. These need to be checked and adjusted as necessary, along with a tread-depth check.
The above items and many more can be found on a Multi-Point Inspection sheet offered by most service centers free of charge. Having one performed will give you a list of services you may need now and those that can be performed just before winter arrives.
Now, with any needed maintenance out of the way, you can sit back and enjoy the fall colors as you drive!
Information provided by
Robert Ramble.
Robert is a senior automotive repair technician at Frederick Chevrolet in Lebanon, PA. They are a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility and are able to work on
most cars and light trucks. For more information about them go to www.frederickauto.com.
October is National Car Care Month
October is National Car Care Month and it is a good time of year to give your car some extra attention. With the cold, freezing weather of winter soon to be upon us, you want to make sure your
car is reliable and will give you trouble-free service. “Neglecting vehicle maintenance now almost always mean higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lowered vehicle resale value,” states Bruce Phillips, AAA Central Penn’s Approved Auto Repair Manager.
Phillips recommends these 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle operating at its best for the long haul:
1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
2. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose, or showing signs of excessive wear.
3. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion free.
4. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at every other oil change.
5. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be very dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
6. Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.
7. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as windshield ice removal and defrosting.
8. Inspect the steering and suspension system
annually, including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.
9. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates either an alignment issue or worn suspension parts. Also check for bulges and bald spots.
10. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades at least twice a year because of wear on the rubber edges from heat in summer and ice in winter. Remember, there is less daylight during the winter so it is particularly important to check these two items.
Phillips recommends checking your owner’s manual for the vehicle manufacturers recommendations for your vehicle on what maintenance should be performed and when. Also, if you cannot do some of these items yourself or would like a professional to look at your vehicle,
he recommends taking it to one of the many AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) facilities throughout the AAA Central Penn territory. They must pass extensive facility inspections and employ ASE or manufacturer trained technicians.
You can refer to the AAR Directory in this magazine or go to AAA.com/AAR, or send an e-mail to
bphillips@aaacp.com.
Bruce Phillips —
Approved Auto Repair manager
20
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
Now!