EURASIAN SERVICE CENTER says winter weather is right around the corner and it's time to make sure your car is ready. Around this time of year we always recommend having your car checked over in order to significantly reduce the chances of being stranded on the side of the road or stuck at home because your car will not start. Here are a few things you should have looked at by a professional mechanic.
1. Battery - The colder the weather the harder your battery has to work to start the car. Have your battery and charging system checked by a mechanic before the winter arrives. The average life of a battery is between 3-5 years. It should also be cleaned periodically because corrosion often builds up on the battery posts and cable connectors.
2. Fluids - The antifreeze should be flushed out every 2 years or 30,000 miles on most cars. This is about how long it takes for the chemicals in it to break down causing leaks and overheating. You should also have the brake fluid, oil and windshield washer fluid checked.
3. Tires - Worn tires can be dangerous and doing your own visual inspection isn't always the best idea. Have a mechanic put the car up on a lift. This way they can also check for inner tire wear and they will be able to get a good look at the round of the tire as well. With the car sitting on the ground these areas are harder to see. Also make sure they look at the spare tire and check the tire pressure in all five tires.
4. Belts and Hoses - These items should be inspected every time your car is in the shop, but it is especially important to have them checked just before winter. As they get older rubber parts become frail and the winter weather will cause them to fail a lot faster. Once again I do not advise doing your own visual inspection because often hoses wear on the inside and do not show any signs on the outside.
5. Wiper Blades - Replace your wiper blades if they are cracked or torn. This item does get checked at your annual VA State Inspection, but don't assume they are fine now. A hot summer or a rainy fall can leave them worn faster then you think. Most importantly you do not want to be driving in bad winter weather with poor wiper blades.
6. Check All Lights - Not all cars will alert you on the dashboard when a bulb has gone out. Have a mechanic check them all when the car is in the shop. They will check the lights that you can't see like your brake and reverse lights. They will even check the easy ones to forget about like your fog lights.
Visit www.eurasianservicecenter.com for more info and the location of a shop that will do a winter weather check for you.
