Prep your ride for fall with these 6 car care tips

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -

Who’s ready for fall? We know we are – cooler weather, beautiful foliage, the holiday season, and pumpkin-flavored everything. However, the change in weather doesn’t just necessitate scarves and boots – it also means you should give your car a little TLC to ensure it can handle the drop in temperature. Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help! We have 6 fall car care tips from our auto service techs to get you on track for the new season.

Tip 1: Check out your wheels. As we all know, foliage is beautiful but it also means dead leaves all over the road, which can make conditions a little slippery. Throw in rain and possible sleet in the late fall and you’re in need of tires that can handle slick surfaces! Inspect your tire tread to ensure it can give you the traction you need, and also check each tires’ PSI level. Cold weather can cause PSI to drop, leaving your car’s tires under-inflated.

Tip 2: Stock up your trunk. Our Charlotte auto service techs recommend stocking your trunk with car care necessities – jumper cables and a spare tire with tools. You’ll also want to throw in emergency water and snacks, as well as a flashlight and kitty litter to help your car gain traction if you get into a slippery, icy situation.

Tip 3: Schedule a brake inspection. Remember how we said that conditions tend to get a lot more slippery in the fall? This means you won’t just need good tires, you’ll also need good brakes. Slick conditions means you may have to make quick stops to avoid collisions and accidents. Have Toyota of N Charlotte inspect your car’s brake system to check over all the parts and make sure it’s all in perfect order for the fall.

Tip 4: Take a look at fluids under the hood. Part of car care is ensuring your car has the tools it needs to do its job. For fall, you should check the fluids you have under the hood like oil, wiper fluid, and coolant. Are they all up to the cold weather that’s undoubtedly coming our way? If you’re not sure, ask one of our Charlotte Toyota service techs to see what’s going on under there!

Tip 5: Inspect your wipers, heater, and defroster. You need a clear field of vision and cold weather can interfere with that – make sure that your windshield wipers and defroster both work well. And check to make sure your heater is in good shape before the cold weather arrives!

Tip 6: Make sure your headlights are nice and bright. Autumn days mean less sunlight – it gets darker a lot earlier! You may be commuting to and from work in the dark, so if your headlights aren’t as bright as they should be, be sure to clean or restore them.

Schedule your car care at Toyota of N Charlotte.

Need a little help with your fall car care? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today at (704) 659-2025! We’re open and waiting to help you welcome in the new season!