It’s time for school again! Besides students scrambling to arrive on time, many drivers will also be dealing with numerous school buses and school zones, which will slow them down. Back-to-school season impacts everyone on the road, from first-time drivers to regular work commuters, so this is your go-to car care checklist to keep your car reliable and prepared for this school year!
Car Care Checklist: Battery
Summer can do a number on your car, so you’ll want to check out your car’s battery terminals (the metal posts on top of the battery) for any signs of corrosion. Excessive heat can weaken a car battery. If you notice a clicking noise when starting your car or if the battery is older than three years, it may be necessary to have it tested or replaced entirely.
Car Care Checklist: Lights
With shorter days in the fall and increased early morning traffic, it’s important to have good visibility on the road. Test out all the lights on your car: headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights. Replacements are often inexpensive and easily found at our Toyota parts store for a smooth installation.
Car Care Checklist: Wipers
Similar to your lights, your wipers are important for good visibility in wet weather. If you notice any streaking, chattering noises as they move across the glass, or spots left uncleared, it’s time to replace your wipers. Again, stop by Toyota of Orlando’s parts shop to check off this inexpensive and easy task on the car care checklist!
Car Care Checklist: Tires
Since tires are your car’s only contact with the road, it’s important to pay attention to them. Here’s what you need to do:
Tire Pressure: Tire pressure is critical for safety, especially on busy roads. Look inside your driver’s doorjamb or car manual for the recommended tire pressure, and use a tire gauge to check if all tires match. If they’re underinflated, your car will be sluggish, and it can lower your fuel efficiency. If they’re overinflated, your car will have less grip, which puts you at risk for accidents
Tread Depth: The tread on your tires grips the road, and it affects your ability to stop when braking, which is incredibly important for school zones and pedestrian traffic. There are a few different ways to check your tire depth to know if you need new tires. Not sure how to do it? Our Orlando auto service techs can check for you.
Visual Check: If you notice any cracking, bulging, or if something is stuck in the rubber, bring it over to our Toyota of Orlando Service Center to get it checked out!
Car Care Checklist: Brakes
Just like your tires, your brakes are incredibly important when you need to come to a quick stop. You need to pay attention to squealing or grinding noises, a spongy feeling when you press the pedal, or extra resistance in the pedal when you push it down. Our Toyota of Orlando technicians recommend getting your brakes checked out once a year to ensure you can safely hit the road!
Car Care Checklist: Fluids
Various fluids keep your car running smoothly, but here are the top ones to pay attention to for your back-to-school car care checklist:
Coolant: Car coolant is responsible for keeping your car's engine from overheating. This can easily be refilled at home, but make sure to only check this when your engine is cool. Our techs can also check and refill your coolant.
Brake and Transmission Fluid: Stop by Toyota of Orlando and let our service technicians check these fluids to ensure your car is running smoothly on the road!
Engine Oil: To check the oil color and levels, pop open the hood and pull out the dipstick. If the level is low, add the recommended oil type for your car. If it’s dark or sludgy, you’re overdue for an oil change.
Windshield Washer Fluid: Keep your windshield free of any dirt or bugs by making sure your washer fluid tank is full before you hit the road.
Car Care Checklist: Emergency Kit
More traffic brings higher chances of delays or accidents. Keep a basic emergency kit in your car with tools like:
A flashlight with extra batteries
A phone charger
Jumper cables
Tire inflator and sealant
A basic first aid kit
Bottled water and snacks
Car Care Checklist: Routine Maintenance
Before the school year kicks off, bring your car to Toyota of Orlando for any checkups, oil changes, tire rotations, or inspections that are needed. Auto service centers tend to get busier as more people begin driving daily again, so take care of things now to avoid any last-minute stress in the morning! And don’t forget, we offer a free multi-point inspection every time you visit us to put your mind at ease.
Cross Off Your Car Care Checklist at Toyota of Orlando!
Back-to-school time can bring extra stress for your household, so knock out any car worries with this easy car care checklist! Give your vehicle some attention and prevent a small problem from turning into a big one. Visit Toyota of Orlando to get your vehicle in top shape by scheduling a service appointment online or calling us at 407-298-0001.
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