Back to School: Is Your Car Ready?
It’s back-to-school time in Vermont!
While school supplies and clothes are at the top of your list, don’t forget about your vehicle. Surprisingly, back to school is the perfect time to schedule vehicle maintenance. The team at Girlington Garage can help. Let's explore ways to get your vehicle ready for back-to-school.
Schedule an Oil Change in South Burlington, VT
The oil in your vehicle is arguably its most fundamental fluid. Oil is tasked with lubricating engine parts, reducing friction, cleaning components, cooling, and protecting the engine. Motor oil includes various additives and detergents. However, over time the motor oil and its additives and detergents are consumed and begin to degrade. This underscores the importance of having a regular oil change based on the manufacturer's suggestions. If your vehicle is nearing an oil change interval, don't prolong this vehicle maintenance service.
Check Your Tires
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that makes contact with the pavement, making them extremely important. Therefore, it's crucial to inspect your tires regularly and monitor their pressure. Here are a few quick tire inspection tips:
Visually check your tire health. It's good practice to give your tires a once-over, checking for signs of wear and tear, bulges, cracks, and other stress fractures. If you notice anything concerning, contact Girlington Garage immediately.
Check tire pressure. Even if your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), manually inspect the tire pressure using a tire pressure gauge to ensure they are properly inflated.
Evaluate the tread depth. A quick way to check your tread depth is by using the penny test. Place a penny upside down on your tire treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you most likely need new tires.
Check tire age. Tires can last for several years, but that doesn't mean they don't need replacement. Most tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires every 10 years, regardless of their condition or tread depth.
Schedule a Cooling System Inspection
Even though outdoor temperatures may be cooling off, under-the-hood temperatures can quickly exceed 200 degrees. Your vehicle's cooling system is designed to remove excess heat from the engine and maintain the optimal operating temperature. However, cooling system malfunctions are among the top reasons drivers find themselves stranded. To prevent this inconvenience, schedule a cooling system inspection. During the service, experts at Girlington Garage will check your coolant levels and inspect all other parts and components.
Visit a Local Car Wash
Keeping your vehicle's exterior clean offers more than just aesthetic appeal; it's also a matter of preventative maintenance. Debris, dirt, dust, mud, bird droppings, grime, road salt, and other corrosive materials can cause damage over time. Regular car washes are your first line of defense against these environmental factors.
Contact Girlington Garage Today
Girlington Garage offers year-round vehicle maintenance services for virtually all makes and models. Our experienced mechanics specialize in maintenance to help protect your vehicle from more expensive repairs. If more extensive repairs are needed, we can assist with that too! In short, we are your one-stop shop for all automotive repair and maintenance needs. Call us at 802-247-7917, visit us at 2 Harbor View Rd in South Burlington, VT, or complete our online contact form.
