Fall Maintenance near College Park, MD

With summer concluding and autumn rapidly approaching, it’s imperative that you prepare your vehicle for the changes ahead. Plummeting temperatures not only impact your powertrain’s performance, but they also affect your tires and brakes. To set you up for success on your excursions through College Park and beyond, we’ve created a checklist in this detailed overview. To participate in routine maintenance, schedule an appointment online!

Fluid Check

Drastic temperature changes can have an adverse effect on the fluids at the core of your ELANTRA, TUCSON, or PALISADE, so that’s precisely where we’ll begin. Heat makes your car’s oil thinner, which reduces its viscosity and prevents it from lubricating the powertrain at its core. It also accelerates oxidation, which is why it’s so important to participate in a routine oil change. Do you plan on driving north for Thanksgiving? With the possibility of snow during late fall, it’s imperative that you top off your windshield wiper fluid to prevent smudges and residue from impacting your field of vision. While we’re there, we’ll inject a fresh batch of coolant to regulate your engine’s temperature. 

Tires and Brakes

Have you embarked on a lot of summer road trips up and down Route 1? If so, there’s a strong likelihood that your vehicle’s tires have experienced some degradation. To make sure that you can safely shuttle your kids to school during December, we strongly suggest inspecting for shallow treads and cracks in the sidewalls of the tires. If you notice uneven wear distribution, it’s important to bring your vehicle to our Service Department for a full rotation. Have you been using summer tires for the past few months? Continuing to use them on slick pavement is not only inefficient, but it’s potentially dangerous. So, if that’s the case, you’ll need all-season or winter options from our Tire Center. Not to be overlooked, your brake pads will also need some attention. With the road salt and slush that will coat them in the next few months, you’ll want to make sure that they’re in prime condition to safely arrive at Chapel Fields. 

HVAC

Oftentimes overlooked by drivers, your cabin air filter has likely become clogged by contaminants on your summer excursions. To avoid experiencing seasonal allergies from the accumulation of pollen, dust, and debris, we recommend getting a fresh air filter installed in the car. Doing so will not only provide fresh oxygen, but it will also ensure that there is a clear path of ventilation between the outside and inside of the vehicle. Speaking of which, your comfort is crucial during the colder months, and that’s why we’ll be sure to check on your climate control system. This way, you can be ready to enter the frigid winter season with absolute confidence. If you have any questions about maintenance before dropping by, use our Contact Us form!