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The Critical Maintenance Items That Prepare Your Car for Fall & Winter

November 16, 2022

mechanic hand holding white cloth and the end of an oil dipstick to check the oil

As winter closes in on Fairfax VA, now’s the time to make sure your car is up for the task at hand. And the team at ABS Unlimited Auto Repair in Fairfax VA wants to help. So, we’ve prepared a quick list of the top maintenance items you should have performed this fall for the upcoming winter. If you stick to them, your car should get you everywhere you need to go, no matter how low the temperature drops. But if you’re looking for “auto repair near me” or a “mechanic near me” don’t wait to reach out to ABS Unlimited Auto Repair in Fairfax VA.

Check Your Fluids

The first thing you’ll want to do before winter really gets going is to check on all of your car’s fluids. Most importantly, you’ll want to make certain your car’s coolant level is where it should be. Your coolant contains antifreeze, which keeps your engine from freezing over in the cold. Without it, your engine could suffer freeze damage and leave you stranded somewhere in the cold.

You shouldn’t stop there, however. You’ll also want to check your oil levelbrake fluid, and power steering fluid, if applicable. They’re all crucial to keeping your car running without trouble. If any of them are low or in need of replacement, now’s the time to make an appointment for service at ABS Unlimited Auto Repair in Fairfax VA!

Inspect Your Tires

One of the biggest driving hazards you’ll face in the Fairfax VA winter is icy roads. If your car’s tires aren’t up to the challenge, you could end up losing control of your vehicle on ice and get into an accident. So, now’s the time to inspect your tires to see that they’re ready for the winter.

If you have all-season tires, you can start by checking their tread depth. If any of your tires have less than 4⁄32 of an inch of tread remaining, you’ll need to start shopping for a new set right away. If your tires don’t need replacement, you can move to step two: check your air pressure.

Underinflated or overinflated tires won’t perform well in icy and snowy conditions. Your car’s proper tire inflation level is written on a panel inside your driver-side door. If your tires need air, you’ll want to take care of it now before you have to do it in the freezing cold. Most importantly, you should consider switching to tires that are designed to handle the snow commonplace in Fairfax VA.

Check Your Brakes

One of the hardest things to do in winter driving conditions is to stop your car in a hurry. You don’t want faulty brakes or brake pads making things harder. To avoid that, it’s a good idea to get your brakes checked now before the weather worsens.

If you need new brake pads in Fairfax VA, we can install them for you. Or, if your brakes need other types of repairs like rotor replacements or fluid exchanges, we can do that too. When we’re done, you’ll be able to drive away confident that your car will stop when you need it to, even in inclement weather.

Check Your Car’s Heater

Last but not least, you’ll want to check to ensure your car’s heater is working as it should. It’s key to keeping you warm and comfortable when you go out in the winter. Plus, if your car does get stuck somewhere, it may be the only thing keeping you—and everyone else in your car—from freezing while you wait for help.

Fortunately, few cars experience complicated heating system problems. That’s because the systems themselves aren’t complex, so there’s not a whole lot that can go wrong. However, it’s one of the few systems in your car that you absolutely can’t afford to go without when the Fairfax VA, winter arrives in force.

Contact ABS Unlimited Auto Repair in Fairfax VA for Auto Maintenance

If you need some help getting your car ready for the winter, don’t waste your time Googling for auto repair near me or a mechanic near me. At ABS Unlimited Auto Repair, we’re right near you, and we’d be happy to help you work through your car’s winter checklist.

We’re an AAA-approved auto repair shop with a staff of ASE-certified and trained technicians. That means you won’t find a better auto repair shop anywhere in the Fairfax VA area—we guarantee it!

Contact ABS Unlimited Auto Repair today by completing our online contact form, giving us a call at (703) 352-7770, or stopping by to see us at 3215 Old Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA 22031.