As we head into the cooler months, it’s time to make sure that our cars are ready. As a MAIF car insurance provider, we know how important it is to have a vehicle that you know is safe to drive. Roadway Insurance offers five things you should double-check on your car this fall.
Tires
Tires are one of the most important things you should check on as the weather gets cooler. Typically when we drive, our tires lose one pound per square inch of tire pressure each month. They drop another pound every ten degrees the temperature lowers. Tire pressure lights are there for a reason, but it’s important to have a gauge to measure tire pressure on hand as well.
It’s also the time to make sure your tires have good tread on them. Fall comes with frost and wet piles of leaves to slide on. You also don’t want to go into the snowy months with no tread on your tires. It’s a recipe for disaster. If you don’t know how much tread you should have, take it to a local auto shop for a checkup.
Battery
The colder weather can wreak havoc on a car battery. Make sure your battery is working well and the connections are solid before winter hits. Ensure the connections don’t have corrosion and are tight. Check that the charging system for the battery is working properly. Look at the manufacturer’s instructions for how often you should be changing your battery.
Windshield Wipers
Wiper blades should technically be changed every six months. Many of us may let them go for a lot longer than that. Particularly if you don’t have a garage or roof to store your car under, changing your wiper blades is important. The rubber on them can crack or tear, especially being exposed to the elements all the time. You don’t want a streaky surface when you’re trying to see as it snows or rains.
HVAC System
Heating and air conditioning in a car are comforts for us. But that’s not all the HVAC system in your car is for. When it gets colder, it’s the system that’s going to be used to defrost the windshield so you can see. Defrosting is crucial for being able to see where you’re going when the weather gets colder.
Headlights
Do a check on the full light system in your car. This includes headlights, taillights, fog lights, high beams — the works. You’re going to be using them a lot more as it starts getting dark sooner. If your headlights are cloudy, look into kits you can use to clean them. If they’re cloudy, you have less of an ability to see the road, and for people to see you.
Getting MAIF Car Insurance
Of course, you want to make sure your car is covered in the event of an accident. Call us or get a free quote online.