Rev Up Your Autumn Adventures: October is Fall Car Care Month

(KNSI) — October is National Fall Car Care Month, and experts say freezing temperatures could leave you stranded if your vehicle isn’t prepared for the cold months ahead.

Granite City Tire and Auto General Manager Jesse Nelson told KNSI News it’s most important to get into gear and make sure everything is ready – especially where the rubber meets the road. “You want to find out if your tire tread is getting low and should be replaced before we get the first snowfall and we’re sliding all over and not in control. So, it’s a great time to get the tires checked.”

Nelson says the technicians are happy to help, but one easy way to check is by doing the penny trick. “You put the penny in upside down, and you want to make sure you can’t see Lincoln’s hair. That’s a good way to do it. Or you can just stop in and we can walk out to the vehicle and measure the tread depth to see if you still have a safe amount of tread remaining.”

It’s especially important to have good tread when navigating roundabouts.

Nelson also says it’s important to change the windshield wipers every six months and don’t use your wipers as ice scrapers. Also, check all the light bulbs as the days get shorter.

The best thing a car owner can do is be proactive and stay updated on oil changes and other services.

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