Pre-Season Preparation for Vehicle Owners
Keeping your vehicle regularly maintained is one of the easiest ways to reduce preventable car accidents from mechanical failure or other maintenance issues. In fact, over 40,000 accidents are caused each year by vehicle issues alone.
October is recognized as National Fall Car Care Month, encouraging motorists to keep up with routine maintenance and fix any issues before the seasons change. Read on to learn more about what should be on every maintenance checklist.
Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
While most of California doesn't see extreme temperatures and weather changes in the late fall and winter, individuals planning on taking road trips for the holidays or vacationing in cooler climates can benefit from "pre-season" preparation of their vehicles. Here are a few things you can do:
- Tires: monitor the air pressure, check the tread depths, and get them rotated—if there are any concerns, have them replaced.
- Check all fluid levels (including coolant and windshield wiper fluid).
- If you hear any strange noises when braking, take your car in for a brake check.
- Double-check for any loose, cracked, or disconnected wires, belts, or hoses.
- Clean your headlights or have them replaced if the lights aren't working as they should.
- Spend the extra dollars to get your vehicle deep cleaned inside and out to ensure there isn't any dust or air contaminant buildup.
Depending on your vehicle, location, and driving habits near the end of the year, you may want to look into storage options for older cars or motorcycles to ensure that any weather abnormalities won't damage them.
Fresno Car Accident Attorneys
Unfortunately, many drivers continue to operate vehicles with known recalls or mechanical issues that may cause hazards for other drivers on the roads. If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a crash caused by another vehicle's maintenance issues, call (559) 900-1280 today. Our experienced team of attorneys will work with you to achieve the most desired outcome.