Get Your Vehicle Ready for the Change of Season

It seems like the kids just started school, but soon you’ll be packing up and hitting the road on your next family vacation. And contrary to popular belief, the weeks leading up to the trip are not the time to start getting your vehicle ready.

A better trigger for that tune-up is the change of season. As soon as the temperatures cool and you start to notice leaves falling from the trees, it’s time to start getting your vehicle ready. Here are three easy steps to follow:

1. Schedule an appointment with your mechanic.
When you bring your vehicle in for its fall or winter checkup, your mechanic may recommend a number of services to prepare your vehicle for the season, such as brakes, battery condition, oil and filters, hoses and belts. Two of the most critical items to check are anti-freeze and tires. Your technician can recommend the minimum temperature threshold for your area, and add anti-freeze as needed. Tire condition is even more important during the winter months. Remember the “Penny Rule”: Insert a penny upside down in your tread groove; if you can see all of Mr. Lincoln’s head, it’s time to change your tires!

2. Put together an emergency kit.
If you don’t have one already, put together a winter emergency kit. It should contain tools you can use to get out of a bind – such as adjustable wrenches that will allow you to make low-level repairs, jumper cables, a jack, air pump and flashlight. You’ll also need a first aid kit to treat any injuries that may occur in an accident. And in case you get stranded, carry canned or non-perishable food items and a can opener, a few gallons of clean water and enough warm blankets to cover up the entire family.

3. Take steps to protect your vehicle’s interior.
Fall/winter will bring with it mud, slush, dirt, salt and grime, all things that are hard to get out of the carpet. Protect your investment by upgrading your floor mats.

“Taking care of carpeting is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle maintenance,” says Frank Turner of Lund International, makers of automotive accessories. “It’s not there just for looks. It insulates the interior of the car, helps reduce road noise and protects the metal flooring beneath it.”

The experts at Lund International offer the following tips for protecting your vehicle’s interior from the wear and tear of the winter months:

* Whenever possible, shake excess dirt, mud and snow off your shoes before getting into the vehicle. This minimizes cleanup and helps protect the carpeting.

* Vacuum and shampoo regularly. Frequent vacuuming helps remove loose dirt before it becomes ingrained in the nap of the carpet. Shampooing or steam cleaning will help remove any built-up dirt and stains.

* Upgrade your standard issue floor mats with a more heavy-duty option.
Lund International’s Nifty brand offers The Catch All product line which provides protection for trucks, SUVs and even car interiors. Styles vary from plush OE nylon carpeting to the Nifty Extreme Catch-All which is made of Xynet, a custom molded thermoplastic material. Both styles resist water, snow, mud, grease and chemicals, are easy to install, and offer easy, take-out/hose-off convenience The mats fit over factory-installed carpeting and come with a lifetime guarantee against cracking, splitting or breaking.

* Enhance and protect your vehicle’s trunk or rear storage area.
Whenever possible, place items inside a sturdy box or bag before placing them inside your vehicle to prevent spillage. It would also be a good idea to put a Lund Cargo Logic Cargo Area Protector over the carpet to keep salt, dirt and wetness from spoiling your interior. The included Cargo Loks, which Velcro right to the mat, can be used to help keep items from tipping and rolling around.

To learn more about products to protect your vehicle’s interior, visit www.LundInternational.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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A few minutes in the garage this fall could help prevent a much more time-consuming and unpleasant experience this winter. First, read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules. No one knows your car better than the company that manufactured it.

Here are a few items that are easy and simple to check before fall turns to winter:

Motor oil — The easiest way to protect and improve the performance of your car is to upgrade to a high-performance synthetic motor oil and change it regularly. Synthetic motor oils have better low temperature fluidity and a lower coefficient of friction than mineral-based motor oils. This will help ensure easier start-ups on cold weather days.

Some motor oils, such as Royal Purple, are actually formulated with molecules that chemically bond with engine components for continuous engine protection. Additionally, Royal Purple motor oil has been proven in independent tests to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and increase horsepower and torque. Data about independent testing of their products is available at www.royalpurpleinfo.com.

Tires — Worn tires can be extremely dangerous on rain, snow and ice. Examine tires for remaining tread life and uneven wearing. Be sure to check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks as well. All-season radials or winter tires are a wise investment for those who must drive in inclement weather regularly. Check tire pressure once a month and rotate tires as recommended by the manufacturer. Don’t forget to check your spare and be sure the jack functions properly.

Cooling System — It may be time for a flush and refill if it’s been more than a couple of years since the coolant has been changed. The level, condition and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is usually recommended. Additionally, the condition of hoses should be checked for cracks and leaks.

Windshield Wipers — Check the condition of your wiper blades and replace them if needed. If your climate is harsh, purchase rubber-clad, winter blades to fight ice build-up. Stock up on winter-formula windshield washer solvent. You’ll be surprised by how much you use. If you don’t have an ice-scraper, buy one before you need it.

Battery — A dead battery can make a cold winter morning a miserable one. If your battery is beyond its recommended service life, replace it. Top any low battery cells with distilled water. Cleaned and tighten battery terminals to ensure electricity gets from the batter to the starter on chilly fall mornings. If corrosion is present, clean it with a mixture of baking soda and water, and put on a set of battery washers to keep corrosion from coming back. Make sure the battery terminals and hold downs are tight. It’s also good to clean and lubricate hinges and the hood latch.

Fuel — It’s important to keep gas lines from freezing in cold weather. No vehicle can run if it can’t get fuel. A full gas tank will help prevent moisture and ice from forming. Particularly cold weather may warrant using a fuel deicer to prevent fuel lines from fuel line. A block heater is another option that is fairly inexpensive and easy to use.

Properly preparing your car for winter is simple and doesn’t require a lot of time or technical expertise. The payback in reduced risk of a preventable breakdown and improved performance is well worth the minimal effort.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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3. Preparing Your Vehicle for the Winter Driving Season