Fall Car Care: Now is the time

**Fall Car Care: Now is the time** Seasons change, it is inevitable. So now is the time to be thinking about the cooler weather of fall and getting your car ready for the changing conditions. Here’s an excellent fall to-do list.

Cooling System
Have your mechanic take a look at your cooling system, including the radiator, coolant, belts and hoses, cooling fans, heater core and water pump. It’s a good idea to have your vehicle’s radiator, belts and hoses looked at as well.

Tires
Check your tire treads and tire pressure. Those road trips you took this summer probably wore down your tread. The fluctuating temperatures this fall will cause your tire pressure to go up and down so monitor it regularly to help your vehicle stay more efficient.

Steering and Suspension
Your automobile’s suspension and front-end alignment should be checked at least once a year, and now is as good a time as any. Ask your mechanic to take a look at the ball joints, steering components and tire rods as well.

Heaters, Defrosters and Windshield Wipers
Three things that you probably won’t realize aren’t working until you really need them. Don’t risk getting stuck in the rain with bad windshield wipers, or have to be late for work because you can’t get the frost off your windows, have these helpful car parts checked out now.

Oil Change
Oil changes are the most well-known – and frequently needed – auto maintenance service. Since your vehicle is already going to be at the auto shop, just go ahead and have them take care of your oil change service as well.

The choice of cars these days is huge. Makes and models abound. Body styles abound, too: cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, the list goes on. Then there are the drive-wheel choices: two-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and so forth. But how much traction do you really need? As Consumer Reports Magazine recently reported, all passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. starting with the 2012 model year come equipped with electronic stability control, which, along with traction control, significantly improves road-holding capabilities regardless of the drive wheels. Yet there are distinct differences in the driving and traction characteristics among the different drive types.

If you are looking for maximum grip, Consumer Reports found that all-wheel and four-wheel-drive systems provide superior traction.

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