Prepare for Fall with this 7-point Inspection

It is common knowledge that before your kiddo can step onto the field, they have to get to a doctor for a sports check-up. Your car needs a similar check-up from your local mechanic shop. This can easily catch and prevent an issue before it grows into a big expensive one.

We encourage you to schedule your car in for a professional inspection 3 times per year. Preventive maintenance gives you peace of mind; it also can save you thousands of dollars in repairs when a professional catches an issue early. The professional Auto Mechanics at Foothill Auto Service are trained to detect warning signs, preventing a small issue from snowballing into a large and expensive one. If you are looking to build a relationship with an auto mechanic, it is time to meet the friendly folks at Foothill Auto Service. When you have a mechanic shop familiar with your vehicle and is already in their system, you have a team you can turn to for all questions and concerns.

Do you love to tinker? We have a few tips for items to check yourself to help keep your car in good condition.

• Replacing your cabin air filter
• regularly washing your vehicle
• changing out your wiper blades

If you are handy and ambitious, other maintenance tasks are also necessary.

• Oil changes
• Belt, and hose replacements
• Tire rotations
• Battery inspections

Most often, it is best to leave this to the professionals, as they not only have a trained eye to detect any anomalies, they also have proper equipment, and document any wear and tear that they see, and also keep their eye out for other issues arising in the future.

Here is a 7-point inspection to help you create a preventive maintenance schedule for your car below.

Oil Changes

Keeping your car on a maintenance plan helps keep unnecessary pollutants from entering your engine. Believe it or not, oil technology has changed quite a bit over the years, which means that nowadays, with synthetic oils, your vehicle doesn’t need oil changes as frequently. What does this mean for regular inspections on your car? Well, it is risky business. We often don’t think of an oil change as safety inspections. However, that is precisely what it is. Your auto mechanic gives your vehicle a thorough inspection every time your car comes through the door.

Belts and Fluids

Take a close look at your belts, when you check your fluids. It only takes a few minutes, and it may make the difference between being stuck on the side of the road, or getting to work on time. Often, belts need to be replaced every 60,000 miles, so be sure to check your odometer and see when you are due to replace your belts. While you are under the hood, take a peek at the inside each of your fluid reservoirs and check your fluids. Top off your transmission, power steering, and wiper fluids, checking your engine oil. It is handy to bring a towel to wipe those dipsticks!

Tire Inspection

Do you have a penny handy? Hold onto it and head outside because we have a handy trick for checking your tires. On a penny, Lincoln’s head is 2/32nd of an inch, which is still in the safe zone for your tire tread. This means that if you can see all of Lincoln’s head when it is in the valley of your tire, then you have an urgent tire issue and need to take your vehicle into the shop right away. Check to see if your tires are wearing. If you see one side of a tire is worn down, it is time for an alignment and suspension check. Be sure to inspect your steering wheel. Is it straight when you are driving? If not, it is a sign that you need an alignment and your tires need rotating. Most tire shops offer free inspections and rotations, so take advantage of their offer and schedule your inspection today!

Air Filters

Air filters are easy to change and should be done often to keep your air clean. These filters are quite inexpensive and can prevent long-term damage to your car, so swing by the parts house and pick up a fresh filter on your way home from the grocery store. It is easy and rewarding and is self-care for you and for your car.

Battery Test

Take a good look at your battery when you are under the hood. Your car battery is vital to keeping you going where you need to be. It is easy to overlook the one thing that gets your car moving. Take the time to check your battery terminals for corrosion. Is there buildup? Simply take a brush or cloth and clean it off. Also, double-check your battery connections to make sure they are tight. Batteries have fluid inside, and if they get low, the battery can drain and not hold a charge very well.

Wiper Blades

Seeing is believing. Taking time to wash your windshield and replace your wiper blades takes only a few minutes. A rule of thumb is to replace your wiper blades twice a year, and spring and fall are good times to tackle this project.

Wash Wash Wash

Washing your car weekly or bi-weekly not only makes you feel good but also prevents rust and buildup. Washing our vehicles seems cosmetic, and although it does give us a good feeling, that isn’t the main reason to keep your car clean. Salt and debris build up over time and cause corrosion. When you keep your car clean inside and out, it effectively prevents long-term damage. And it just feels good to climb into a clean car.

At Foothill Auto Service, we are proud to provide you with the best in-house lifetime guarantee on labor and a TechNet 36-month/36,000-mile warranty for most parts. Call our friendly service desk today or schedule an appointment online so we can take great care of you and your vehicle.

We look forward to seeing you soon!