October is Fall Car Care Month

With all of the leaves changing, nights getting cooler you need to be doing more than just throwing a sweatshirt on or raking up the fallen leaves. There's something you need to check and maintain, that's just as important as the gutters and other weekend projects. When was the last time you checked out what was going on under the hood of your car? Have you at least gotten an oil change in the last few months? With the Fall season in full swing, it's important to properly care for your vehicles. You rely on them so much to get you to and from all of your seasonal stops safely with no problem! You don't want to ruin a trip back from Thanksgiving at grandma's with a flat tire do you? That could be the least of your problems with the types of components that tend to require maintenance. From your wipers and brakes to your battery and defrosters there are plenty of ways to care for your car this fall season.

Where Do I Begin? What Can I Do?

When it comes to your cars there are plenty of options in front of you. For those of you who don't mind getting your hands dirty or are interested in minor car work, your weekends can turn into small DIY projects here and there to keep your car running great. Other ways for full fall car care is to drop it off at a full service garage that can make sure your car is ready for whatever the fall or winter throws at it! Even with this said, it's important to understand the areas on your car that will need attention during these frigid seasons. That way you can make sure that your car is getting what it needs, and you're not paying an arm and a leg for something completely unnecessary.

Key Areas for Fall Car Care

Below, we'll go through the areas you should focus your fall car care. Each of these sections have certain vulnerabilities or weaknesses to the colder temperatures, extra moisture and other elements. Other areas that need to be focused on are those you will be relying on the most, like your heating system, defrosters, and wipers.

Heating (HVAC) System and Wipers - We'll jump right in. It's always a good place to start, as it's the most logical. Properly working heating and ventilation systems are completely necessary for safety and comfort. Can you imagine attempting to drive home with a frozen windshield and no heat? Or pouring rain and worn out wipers? Also make sure you have the filters all checked, as it's common to find clogs. Many people take the fall season to replace their filters so their car runs as efficiently as possible. As replacing your wipers should be replaced every six months, timing them around the Fall season helps as well. That way, once you are getting ready for those spring showers, it's time to replace your wipers again.

Tires and Wheels - One of the biggest concerns you should have as the weather begins to cool are your tires. For one, replacing them is never a fun process, and secondly as everything contracts in the cold, your tires will lose air pressure. Always make sure to check your tires weekly, and fill them according to their PSI requirements. With slicker surfaces, its also equally important to check the treads. You want to make sure there are no bald spots or leaks. Another warning sign to look for is uneven wear, which means it's also time for a wheel alignment.

Battery - Cold weather is brutal on all types of electronics. Your car battery is just as vulnerable to this. It's always good to check your battery and it's connections. Clean up any areas with corrosion and make sure all of the connections are clean and tight. It's also not a bad idea to have the levels checked by a shop, because you can't always tell when one is about to die. The last thing you want is to get in the car late one night, out of state, ready to drive home to realize your car battery has died. One precaution many take in their fall car care is to just replace their car battery in general. Especially if it has several years behind it.

Brakes - When it comes to car care and maintenance, tending to your brakes are always a good idea. With so much reliance behind these components it's important to make sure the linings, rotors, and pads are all working properly. Brakes can play a pivotal role in your survival on instances of slick roads, black ice, and snowfall.

Other Fall Car Care Tips

Besides confirming that these areas mentioned above are being maintained, there are other components to double check as well. I know that some of these can seem like they are more geared towards colder winter weather, but its always better to be prepared beforehand. Both the fall and winter season offer many different types of situations, from issues you can control like your car to those you can't, like the elements.

Check your fluids. People tend to overlook the fluids that are in their car. It's a rare thing to see anyone actually check their oil let alone their anti-freeze! Its always important to check your fluids, and the cooler season months are no exception. Check for leaks as well, so you can attend to those before they cause larger problems.

Keep scrapers in your car. Yes, it's fall, but that doesn't mean we're absolved of freezing temperatures until December. It's already hit the 30's. Scrapers, extra anti-freeze and lock deicer are all components you should have gathered in this point, so keep them all together (Besides the lock deicer, it kind of defeats the purpose if it's stored in your car).

Make sure all of your lights are working. Look for signs of clouding on the headlights and make sure all of your bulbs are still working. Dead bulbs only take a few minutes to replace, but always seems to be put off. Besides assuming responsibility in accidents where you've been rear-ended, wasting your time by being pulled over, and more, you are making the roads much more hazardous. Your lights and signals are the only means of communicating with other drivers. Take that out of the equation and others have no means of knowing what you intend on doing.

What Now? Start Caring For Your Car!

In the end, your car is only as valuable as the time and work you put into it. If you completely neglect it, you can't rightfully assume that it will always prove reliable. All of the fall car care tips we've mentioned above are pretty simple. Most can even be done as you are walking up to your car in the morning before work, or within ten fifteen minutes on a Saturday morning. While it may cost you a few bucks to keep your car maintained, or even a few hundred to replace a part just look at the bigger picture. You continue to keep your family safe and your vehicle running efficiently each and every time you take a moment to make sure it's running the best it could be.

Source:  http://eggzack.com/article/2013-10-31-important-fall-car-care-tips.html

Safe Driving - September is Preparedness Month

Taking steps to stay safe while driving is nothing new. We buckle our seat belts, adjust the rearview mirror and put away our phones. So, why not take a few more steps to protect yourself in case you encounter a disaster while on the road? A little knowledge and preparation can go miles in keeping you safe.

Road rules

Learning more about the kind of disasters that can happen in your community is always a good first step. In preparing to stay safe while on the road, it’s especially important to learn about disasters that can happen with little warning and are likely to catch you off guard. Such disasters can include tornadoes, flash floods, landslides and earthquakes. It’s also a good idea to learn about your community’s evacuation routes and designated shelters. In fact, a good tip is to keep a list of designated shelters in your car as well as maps that clearly note safe evacuation routes.

Here’s a few specific tips for staying safe if you find yourself behind the wheel when a disaster hits:

• Tornadoes: Tornadoes can hit with very little warning. If you’re in a car,make sure your seat belt is fastened and drive to the nearest shelter. If you see flying debris, pull over, park and lower your head below window level. Do not park under a bridge or overpass.

• Floods: Six inches of water can reach the bottom of most passenger cars and can cause you to lose control or your car to stall. Two feet of fast-moving water can carry away most vehicles, including trucks and SUVs. If floodwaters start to rise around your car, do not hesitate to leave your vehicle and walk to higher ground. Do not attempt to drive in flooded areas.

• Landslides: A landslide is a mass of rock, earth and other debris moving down a slope. When driving in an area prone to landslides, be on the alert for cracked pavement, fallen rocks and other signs of a landslide. If you see a landslide happening, drive out of its path immediately.

• Earthquakes: If you’re in a car when an earthquake hits, drive out of traffic and park; avoid parking under bridges or overpasses. Do your best to park out of range of trees, utility posts and other falling hazards.

• Wildfires: Though it’s dangerous and should only be done in an emergency, you can survive a wildfire by staying in your car. Roll up your windows, close the air vents and drive very slowly with the headlights on. Do not attempt to drive through heavy smoke. If you have to stop, park away from trees and brush, leave the headlights on, turn off your ignition, get on the floor of your car and cover yourself with a blanket until the main fire passes.

• Blizzards: If you find yourself trapped in your car in a blizzard, pull off the road, turn on the hazard lights and, if you’re able, hang a distress flag or piece of cloth from the car’s antennae or window. Run the heater and car engine about 10 minutes each hour to stay warm. When the engine is on, crack the window very slightly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not attempt to leave your car and go on foot unless you absolutely know where you can take shelter.

If you resume driving after a disaster, be careful to avoid downed power lines, cracks in the road and any other road hazards. Remember: It may be difficult to abandon your car, but it’s important that you don’t hesitate if the situation calls for it.

Stockpiles on the go

There are a few emergency items you should have in your car at all times. Your vehicle’s emergency kit should include jumper cables, up-to-date maps, emergency flares, a first aid kit, a flashlight, extra blankets, a spare tire, batteries, a battery-operated radio, a manual can opener and a cellphone charger. It’s also important that you have bottled water and non-perishable foods.

You can purchase specially packaged food and water that will last for long periods of time in your car. However, you can also prepare a portable kit of food and water to store in your home; just make sure it’s easily accessible so you can grab it in a hurry in case of evacuation. Make sure every car in your household, including your teenage son’s or daughter’s car, is prepared for an emergency. Depending on where you live, you might add special items as well, such as an ice scraper or a bag of sand to gettraction in the snow.

If you know a disaster is headed your way, such as a hurricane, keep a full tank of gas in the car so you’ll be ready to go. And have some cash on hand, in case ATMs or credit card machines are down.

Finally, don’t forget about your vehicle’s maintenance — it can be critical if you encounter disaster or heavy weather. For example, check the tire pressure, make sure your windshield wipers work well, and inspect the antifreeze and coolant levels.

Source:  http://www.getreadyforflu.org/DrivingDisasters.htm