8001 Minnetonka Blvd.

952.931.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

6407 West Lake Street

952.922.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

Thank you for choosing D&D Autoworks for your vehicles’ service, maintenance and repair.

Inspecting your Vehicle for Fall

by | Oct 13, 2016 | Driving Habits, General Car Maintenance, Safe Driving Tips, Vehicle Safety Inspections

check-engine-light-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall is the perfect time to get your vehicle inspected. The fall weather can be unpredictable, including heavy rains, wind, freezing rain, or potential early snow. Make sure to bring your vehicle in on a regular basis so we can inspect it for you. If you notice anything out of the norm with your vehicle, make sure to contact us and schedule an appointment to bring it in.

 

The first part to inspect on the vehicle are the tires. Make sure all four tires are inflated to the recommended air pressure, and look for signs of uneven wear. While under inflation can cause an uneven wear pattern, it can also occur if the tires are not balanced or the wheels are out of alignment. It is critical to address these issues, since they affect gas mileage, how well the car handles in poor weather, and the amount of stress placed on the suspension.

 

Pay attention to how the brakes sound and feel to ensure that braking ability will not be compromised when the roads are wet, icy, or even snow covered. If the brakes feel spongy or soft when you press the pedal, they may need to be bled to remove excess air from the lines. Scraping or grinding noises while braking can indicate that pads are badly worn and need replacing.

 

The headlights, taillights, and brake lights are critical for safe driving, especially as the days get shorter during the fall months. Make sure you can see and be seen while on the road by checking that all the light bulbs are functioning, and cleaning or replacing any cloudy or scratched lenses.

 

Also remember to check the windshield wipers. If they are cracked, worn blades, or malfunctioning, the wiper arms will not allow you to keep the windshield clear of water or other debris or road grime this fall. It is easy to prevent problems by replacing old, damaged blades and checking that the wiper arms allow the blades to fully contact the windshield.