Get Ready for Fall and Winter With San Pedro Auto Service

Fall is here and winter is right around the corner, so now’s the time to make sure your car is safe and ready for the change in season. Colder, rainy weather will soon be upon us, so there are several fall and winter maintenance tips you should follow to ensure your car is prepared. The San Pedro auto service center’s maintenance checklist includes:

• Tires: Inspecting your tires for wear is more important than ever in wet weather. Worn tire tread can be especially dangerous on wet roads, often resulting in hydroplaning that can cause an accident. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, anything less than 2/32” of tread depth is unsafe. You can perform your own “penny test” to see whether your tread depth is at least 2/32” by placing a penny into the tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by tread, you have at least 2/32” of tread depth left. A safer bet is to bring your car to the San Pedro auto service and tire center for a thorough inspection.

• Battery: Check and clean any build-up of corrosion on the battery posts to make sure you don’t have any starting problems in cold weather. Use a wire brush to clean the battery posts, and remember to carefully dispose of any debris. It’s also a good idea to test the battery for the amount of charge and life remaining. If you’re uncomfortable cleaning or testing your battery, take your car to the San Pedro auto service professionals.

• Brakes: You also want to make sure your brakes are ready to handle the wet weather. If you started hearing a squealing sound this summer when you applied your brakes, it’s very important that you have your brake pads replaced by the San Pedro auto service and brake technicians as soon as possible. If you wait too long you’ll start hearing a grinding sound when you hit your brakes, which means your rotors will also need to be replaced.

• Engine: Check your engine oil on a monthly basis to make sure your car isn’t leaking oil. Mark your calendar for an oil change at your San Pedro auto service center based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

• Antifreeze: Your antifreeze (coolant) is a critical component to keep your car running smoothly. You don’t want to be left stranded on the side of the road because you forgot to make sure your radiator is topped off with a mixture of 50/50 antifreeze and water. If you’re unsure of your antifreeze level or whether the mixture is correct, let the San Pedro auto service pros inspect it.

• Windshield wipers and washer fluid: As we begin to experience more wet weather, make sure your wipers are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe. You also want to make sure you have a full reservoir of washer fluid to keep the grime off your windshield. Your San Pedro auto service center can inspect your wipers and top off your washer fluid when you bring your car in for an oil change.

Is your car ready for fall and winter? Get a free 40-point inspection of all of your car’s vital systems when you bring it to the San Pedro auto service and repair center. Make an appointment today by visiting www.ParkPlazaAutomotive.com or calling 310.831.2888.