October is Fall Car Care Month

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for the Changing Seasons

October is celebrated as the spookiest month of the year, but seasonal car maintenance is nothing to fear! In anticipation of Fall Car Care Month, Pep Boys is here with expert advice on making sure your vehicle is prepared for the changing seasons.

Fall Car Care Checklist

Before the temperature drops drastically, here are a few quick steps to making sure your car is ready to head to the pumpkin patch, apple orchard or football game.

Inspect Your Headlights and Brake Lights

Because there’s less daylight in the fall and winter, inspecting your lights is a must. Make sure to have the Pep Boys Pros check that your headlights, taillights, brake lights, reverse lights and hazard lights are nice and bright.

Top Off Your Fluids

Your vehicle should have the required levels of windshield washer fluid, oil, brake fluid, coolant and transmission fluid to be at its best performance. It’s crucial to make sure your fluids are topped off to avoid any issues getting where you need to go and be aware that low brake fluid may be an indication of a serious issue and should be inspected by a Pro as soon as possible. Plus, a mechanic can keep an eye out for any cracks or breaks in hoses and advise you of any recommended replacements.

Check Your Tire Pressure and Tread

Check your tire pressure to ensure they’re properly inflated. Your owner’s manual or sticker inside the car’s door lists what your tire pressure should be. Pep Boys offers free tire pressure checks if you’re unsure!

To check the tread of your tires, all you need is a penny! Find the shallowest groove in a tire and place the penny inside with Abraham Lincoln’s head pointed down. If you can see his whole head, it’s probably time for some new tires. Check out our current coupons and deals that can help keep you on the road.

Clean Out Your Vehicle

Spring cleaning--but make it fall! Now is a great time to clean your vehicle inside and out before it gets too cold. Remove any floor mats to hose them down and leave them out to dry. Clean any smudges on your windshield, windows and mirrors and use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your dashboard.

Test Your Battery

Nothing is worse than trying to get where you need to go and realizing your car won’t start. Colder weather adds stress to your battery, so make sure to keep your battery top of mind. In fact, you can bring your car into your local Pep Boys for a complimentary battery check for most vehicles* to see if it may be time for a replacement.

Need an extra hand? Our Team Members are here to assist you with seasonal maintenance to make sure your vehicle is ready for the road ahead.

Pep Boys has your back helping you tick off these checklist items with a visit to one of our 1,000 auto service centers across the nation – including a few items that are done for free. Our free services include:

  • Tire rotation
  • Visual brake check
  • Visual alignment check
  • Fluid level check
  • Check engine light code pull
  • Tire pressure check

Plus, customers can opt-in to our complementary Smart Services, which provides real-time service updates, pictures, two-way text and mobile pay.

Schedule your next appointment with Pep Boys today to be ready for the change in season.

We go further to help you go farther.

*Excludes hybrids, electric vehicles, and difficult to reach batteries. 

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