October is Fall Car Care Month

October is Fall Car Care Month

With the arrival of fall and impending arrival of winter, it’s important to get all your ducks in a row when it comes to your vehicle. This is especially important if you have a high-end European car like a BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes. Because October is Fall Car Care Month, we thought this would be the perfect time to review some tips on how to keep your car running smoothly.

Check Your Fluids

Your car’s fluids keep the engine and other critical components running smoothly. Neglecting the levels could lead to irreversible damage to your car. Get regular oil and filter changes, and keep an eye on the levels of these fluids regularly:

• Engine oil
• Power steering
• Brake and transmission
• Windshield washer solvent
• Antifreeze and coolant

While you’re under the hood, check the hoses and belts to see if they are cracked, frayed, brittle or loose. Any signs of wear and tear? Take it in for repair or service.

Check the Battery and Brakes

Take a look at your battery and check the charge. Ensure a tight connection with no signs of corrosion. If you do see rust, replace the battery. For your brake system, make sure you have your technician check it each year, concentrating on the linings, rotors and drums.

Inspect the Exhaust System

Whenever you hear strange noises coming from your car, particularly when you accelerate, there could be an issue with the exhaust system. That’s why it’s important to have that system checked for leaks, damage and damaged supports or hangers. If an exhaust leak is allowed to fester, it could pose a safety and health danger to occupants and everyone on the road. Keep an eye on your engine performance, too, so that you’re getting the best power and fuel economy out of it, while producing the lowest emissions possible.

Check Your HVAC

The heating and cooling systems of your car are vital to maintaining comfort and safety. Components like the defrost feature won’t work properly if there is a problem with your HVAC system.

Check Steering and Suspension

Steering and suspension are critical components of your vehicle as well, as they are responsible for keeping your wheels firmly on the ground, preventing dangerous veering to one side of the road. Be sure to check the following:

• Shock absorbers
• Struts
• Chassis parts such as ball joints and tie rod ends

Don’t Neglect the Tires

Maintaining proper tire pressure isn’t just important to prevent blow-outs and flats. It’s also imperative to the optimal operation of your vehicle. Improperly inflated ties can elevate rolling resistance, require more energy to move the vehicle (translating to higher fuel costs), reduce handling performance, and put unnecessary stress on your tires (resulting in uneven wear), according to J.D. Power. Check your tire pressure regularly and inspect the tread, as uneven wear can signal a need for wheel alignment.

Check Your Wipers and Lights

In order to see and be seen, your wipers need to be in good working order. Test them out to make sure no streaks remain and replace blades that are worn. Check your interior and exterior lights for safety.

Contact Hance’s European in Dallas

Contact us at 214-761-3247 in Dallas Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. We would be happy to schedule service for your high-end European vehicle.