When seasons change, it's a good time to perform some simple maintenance and checks on your vehicle. With fall and cooler weather arriving soon, you'd be wise to have your heater checked, along with your brakes, belts, hoses and fuel lines. We can handle all of the maintenance and inspection required of your BMW, Mercedes or Hummer H1 at Benzin Motor Works. Some seasonal maintenance can even be done yourself. Here are a few do-it-yourself options.
Wiper blades
Typically, it's recommended that your wiper blades are replaced every year. For many of us, that's at the beginning of fall. Since the cooler weather often brings more stress on your blades, not only from the rain, sleet and snow, but also from dirt and grime from the road, it's a good idea to have a fresh pair ready to go. Replacing the blades requires no tools and a good paid can be as little as $20. Just be sure you buy the correct size, and get a third blade if you have a rear wiper on your SUV.
Spare tire
Your spare tire can save you from a disaster in the middle of nowhere, but too many of us neglect to periodically check the health of our spare. Since tire pressure will drop over time, and can decrease one PSI for every 10-degree drop in temperature, it's a good idea to check that your spare is properly inflated as fall begins. If you have an older vehicle with an older spare, it may be wise to replace it rather than rely on it when you're in a pinch. While you're checking the spare, be sure to also check that all the necessary tools are present should you need to change a tire on the side of the road.
Fluids
With cooler weather on the way, anitfreeze is likely the first fluid you think of that will need checking. If you find that the level in the coolant recovery resorvoir is low, just remember that green and orange antifreeze don't mix as you top it off. Your windshield washer fluid can also use some maintenance to avoid freezing. Consider replacing it with a cold weather specific variety, which often have antifreeze premixed in. Having your brakes checked is a job for your mechanic, but you can check your brake fluid. It's normal for brake fluid to decrease over time so you will want to top it off now and again. If you notice a major dip in braking performance, however, it's likely a bigger problem than depleted fluids.
Air filters
It's recommended that your engine's air filter is replaced twice each year. At stake is your car's fuel economy, emissions and performance. While many of us neglect to change these air filters often enough, doing so can make a noticeable impact. This is another job that can performed without any tools, so there's not excuse for neglecting it.
If you run into problems with your BMW, Mercedes or Hummer H1 that you can't fix yourself, come see us at Benzin Motor Works. Our expert technicians help you pinpoint the problem and have you back on the road in no time.