Domestic and Asian
Automotive
Service and Repair Specialists
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
| FIND
US |
LET
FOLSOM AUTOTECH SAFETY-CHECK YOUR BRAKES |
||||
| HOME |
SERVICES |
OUR
SHOP |
ABOUT
US |
CONTACT
US |
CAR
CARE TIPS |
|
Just in case you hadn't noticed,
Winter is (almost) here! In northern
California, winter means our cars may soon have to face
some of the more difficult driving environments. But In summer, when the days were longer and brighter, many
of us thought we could overlook car maintenance until fall--which is already two thirds gone. Well this
was NOT a good idea, but even if you've got away with it so far there's a
lot that needs to be done while the weather and the traffic are still moderate.
FIRST: During the winter months, take out the hose and wash the underside of your car ever few weeks. Road dirt--especially after a trip to the mountains--can be loaded with salt and other materials that can attack the underside of the car. Then, at least once a month, wash the rest of the car using a mild detergent to remove any wind-blown grit and oily road grime. Use a soft cloth to keep from scratching the painted and plated surfaces. SECOND: Speaking of hoses, you will want to check your cooling system and radiator periodically. A leaky hose can lead to un-noticed higher temperatures can quickly turn to disaster! THIRD: Get your heating and ait conditioning system and radiator checked BEFORE PROBLEMS ARISE (we can't say this often enough). Changable weather means your engine will rely on that system to operate at the proper pressure and temperature. And before you hit the road for your first ski-and-snowboard weekends, check your oil and transmission fluid for scorching. You might also want to get a tune up, AND a smog check (even if your registration doesn't require it yet). Getting everything done at once makes sure that your car is in the best possible condition when you take off for the weekend, or a leisurely winter sports tour of western America. It's something you want to do at least once a year anyway, just to be sure. FOURTH: Keep your windshield CLEAN, inside and out. Minor "misiting" may not seem like much, until you find yourself driving into shadows during early morning and especially early twilight. Also, check your windshield for "sanding" and even minor rock hits. They may not look like much during the day, but when you are doing any night driving it can increase the glare from on-coming traffic. |
ABOUT FOLSOM AUTOTECH
|
|
|
Once
every-other week, spend a minute (or two) with a friend and check your
lights. A burned-out lamp on the driver's side is especially dangerous! Start with the brake lights, then the tail lights, then
the rear directional signals. Finally check the front directional
signals, the front parking lights, then the headlights and the high
beams. Repalce any bulbs immediately, it's a safety item. Look for water in the headlamps. |
TWO MINUTE TIP 2
At least twice a year, and especially when the forecaster says "rain," you want to wet
your windshield and check your wipers and blades. Summer
heat or
a winter surprize freeze can cause damage to the rubber which can
leave your
windows streaked when the rain does come. Check the wipers at all
settings. Replace the wipers annually.
|
TWO MINUTE TIP 3 Once a month, and
every time you are going to take a trip, make sure you check fluid
levels, tires,
and pressures -- all FIVE of them (yes, the spare too)! Incorrect
time pressure can cause excessive wear, and effect your gas mileage and
road handling. Check for excessive or uneven wear. Take a few
extra minutes every three months or so to clean rocks out of the
tread.
|
|
||||
| "Road Safety"
Includes Being
Prepared for
the Unexpected! Check out our Internet Boutique |
||||
All
technicians are ASE Certified
AAA
Approved
California
Smog II Certified