Fall Maintenance Tips For GMC and Buick Drivers

Make sure that your vehicle is ready for the fall season. As the temperature drops, your vehicle will face certain issues that can impact its comfort and performance. At Serra Buick GMC of Champaign, we have provided this handy guide to help prepare your vehicle for the fall season.

Automotive Batteries and Maintenance Overview

Automotive batteries are small yet vital components with a relatively short life, requiring frequent maintenance for vehicle reliability. Dead batteries immobilize vehicles, and replacement is generally needed every two to four years. We recommend battery inspections with electrical testing at least twice annually between hot and cold seasons as extreme temperatures and temperature changes cause faster depreciation.

Inspect Your Vehicle’s Battery

The chances are that your vehicle’s battery hasn’t been checked in a while. The fall is a great time to see if your vehicle’s battery is in working condition. Be sure to visually inspect the battery and the battery connectors for any signs of corrosion. A corroded battery or battery connector will have orange and green stains on them.

Also, be sure to check for any dim lights inside or outside of your vehicle. Older batteries will tend to have issues with fully illuminating your vehicle’s lights. If you notice that your vehicle’s headlights or cabin lights are dim, the battery needs to be replaced.

Check Your Tires

You may have put on more than a few miles during the summer. Therefore, you want to check and make sure that your vehicle’s tires are in working order. The first thing that you should do is check the tread level on each tire. If there is 2/32 inch or less tread, then the tire should be replaced. You will also want to check the pressure level on each tire.

Check Your Wiper Blades

Finally, you want to make sure that your vehicle’s wiper blades are in good condition. Some of the major visual signs of old wiper blades include bent frames and rubber peeling off the blades.

In addition to a visual inspection, you will want to check out your vehicle’s wiper blades in action. Check to see if the wiper blades are leaving any streaks on your windshield. Also, be sure to check for any odd noises coming from the wiper blades themselves.

Make Sure the HVAC System Is In Working Order

• The temperature is going to start coming down in the fall. That means you want to make sure that your vehicle’s HVAC system is ready to keep your cabin warm. Turn on your heater and make sure that it is blowing warm air through all of the vents. After that, be sure to check and make sure that the defroster is working.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a heated steering wheel or heated seats, take the time to check those out as well. If there is an issue with your HVAC system, you will want to address those before the cold weather comes in.