Watch Out for These Common Car Issues in Fall
While most people look forward to the nice weather of autumn, things can quickly turn from nice to freezing in Vermont.
When it does, it's imperative you've taken the proper fall car care steps to protect your vehicle. At Girlington Garage, we have your auto repair and car maintenance needs covered.
Unlike any other auto repair facility in the South Burlington area, we are a woman-owned and women-operated garage that offers a host of car maintenance and auto repair solutions. And we also pride ourselves on being honest, transparent, and — above all — fair. Let's take a closer look at some of the most common car issues we see in fall.
Dead & Weak Batteries
During the summer months in Vermont, your battery lives on easy street —thanks to heat speeding up the necessary chemical reaction your battery needs to properly perform. However, when fall rolls around, the true fitness of your battery will be on display. Simply put, the colder weather can make it more difficult for your car battery to perform because the colder weather will slow the electrochemical reaction down.The first sign of problems is often a sluggish battery. If left unattended, you could find yourself with a battery that doesn't have sufficient power to start your vehicle. And having a battery die out of the blue — it's rarely "out of the blue" — in Vermont and being stranded is not a good look. To prevent the latter unfavorable scenario, you should add a thorough battery inspection to your fall car care list of car maintenance items.
Faulty Windshield Wipers
While you will use your windshield wipers throughout the year, the snow in Vermont elevates the importance of having a properly functioning pair of wipers. If your windshield wipers are damaged or not up to the task, they can cause scratches on your windshield and limit visibility. Fortunately, the advent of fall is always a great time to perform a wiper inspection because the summer heat can cause the rubber to degrade. However, if your wipers skip or leave streaks on the windshield, they should be replaced.
Don't Drive on Underinflated Tires
When you're thinking about your fall car care maintenance, don't forget about your tires! In fact, your tires should be one of your top considerations. For starters, the cold weather will cause your tire pressure to decrease. Most estimates suggest that for every 1 degree, your tire pressure will drop about 1 PSI. If left unattended, driving on underinflated tires can cause:
Tread separation
Wear and tear
Blowouts
As such, it's best to stay on top of your tire pressure when temperatures drop in South Burlington VT.
Should I Switch to Snow or Winter Tires
Yes! And we are glad you asked. Snow and winter tires are essential for driving around South Burlington VT, particularly when temperatures drop below 45 degrees. These tires have specially formulated rubber that will stay soft and pliable in freezing temperatures, which is key to maintaining traction. According to research, winter and snow tires are proven to improve your braking ability, traction, and cornering ability in all types of cold-weather conditions, including wet, icy, snow-covered, and dry roads.
Contact Girlington Garage for Car Maintenance & Auto Repair
When it comes to fall car care, the mechanics and technicians at Girlington Garage can help. We offer a vast range of services, including:
And more
Schedule your appointment today at Girlington Garage or stop by to see us at 2 Harbor View Rd in South Burlington VT, or give us a call at 802-247-7917.
