As we entered the fall season, evening chill reminds us that rains will soon be upon us. Last winter was unusually wet, but even a regular winter means that your vehicle needs to be ready for rains and storms. At Toole’s Garage Stockton we recommend having you vehicle checked out well before the winter rains start.
Here are a few components that should be looked at:
Windshield Wipers
We don’t think of them in the summer, while the UV rays damage the wipers. Only when the first storm hits, we face the moment of truth – hopefully they hold up, but it’s best to check them before the rain.
Lights
As the Fall and Winter days get shorter, it’s important that all lights be in good working order. Check you external light, signal lights, brake light and high beams to make sure that all operate correctly.
Brake Inspection
Brakes are one of the most important safety systems on your vehicle. We recommend Fall brake inspection, to make sure your vehicle has sufficient brake pads, and that ABS system is functioning correctly. It’s good to also check the condition of the brake fluid as well.
Tires
On a rainy day, good tires are a safety item – they need to have enough tread to evacuate water and keep your car from hydroplaning. Now is the time to check if the tires are properly inflated, make sure that tread is deep enough, and that there are no bald spots.Tire rotation may be a good idea at this time.
Heater/Defroster
As the weather gets colder, you will need to use the car heater and defroster. We recommend having a professional mechanic test the heating system.
You can perform most of the above checks yourself, or you can bring your vehicle to Toole’s Garage in Stockton, and we will be happy to do a winter checkup for you. Naturally we will also check the condition of the car battery, look at belts and hoses, and other subsystems of your vehicle. We can combine these inspections with an oil change, so you don’t have to make two separate appointments.
Call us at the shop or make an appointment online.
