Car Maintenance

Top 5 Winter Car Maintenance Tips

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TOP 5 WINTER CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS

Even though the holidays are in the rear view mirror, winter is still going strong in the Northeast. With icy roads and dropping temperatures, keeping your car running at peak performance can be challenging. Cold weather can affect everything from the health of your tires to your fuel lines. As you keep your eyes on the road ahead towards warmer weather, make sure you don’t overlook these important winter car maintenance tips:

1. Check Your Tire Pressure

Weather can be a significant factor in the health of your tires, especially the cold winter temperatures. For every 10 degrees the temperature drops, tire air pressure falls one pound per square inch of pressure. Low tire pressure causes more wear and tear on the tires, ultimately lowering your fuel efficiency. Make sure to keep your tires at the recommended PSI, which can be referenced in your car’s owner manual.

2. Replace Any Worn Tires

The tread on your tires allow them to grip the road while driving. With slick and slippery road conditions during winter, it is crucial to replace any tires that lack sufficient tread. Replacing worn tires will maximize your car’s performance during these unpredictable winter road conditions, as well as improve the safety of the vehicle.

2. Replace Any Worn Tires

The tread on your tires allow them to grip the road while driving. With slick and slippery road conditions during winter, it is crucial to replace any tires that lack sufficient tread. Replacing worn tires will maximize your car’s performance during these unpredictable winter road conditions, as well as improve the safety of the vehicle.

3. Monitor Your Heater and Defroster

Make sure that your car heater and defroster continue to be in working condition. As obvious as it may seem, monitoring these functions of your car will keep you safe while driving this winter. It is important to give your car time to warm up and completely defrost any ice that may be on your windshield and windows. A frozen windshield will obstruct your visibility, putting yourself and other drivers at risk.

4. Prevent Freezing of Fuel Lines and Engine’s Cooling System

It is important to monitor the amount of fuel and antifreeze that is in your car. Keeping your gasoline level steady will prevent any accumulated water from freezing inside the tank. Similarly, maintaining a proper amount of antifreeze will prevent the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing and causing serious damage to your car.

4. Prevent Freezing of Fuel Lines and Engine’s Cooling System

It is important to monitor the amount of fuel and antifreeze that is in your car. Keeping your gasoline level steady will prevent any accumulated water from freezing inside the tank. Similarly, maintaining a proper amount of antifreeze will prevent the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing and causing serious damage to your car.

5. Stock Your Car with the Essentials

Make sure your car is fully equipped for any winter weather. You should always have an ice scraper and snow brush available to completely clean off your car before you start driving. Also, regularly replace your windshield wipers to keep your windshield streak-free and improve visibility during any potential snowfall.

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How to Get Your Car Spring Ready

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HOW TO GET YOUR CAR SPRING READY

Winter is coming. While that may be true for the hit HBO television show, it’s not for car owners and lessees in the northeast. Those cold, early mornings of defrosting your car are finally in the rear view mirror. Spring is right around the corner and with the change of season comes new car maintenance responsibilities. Here are the top four ways to make sure your car is ready for spring:

1. Wash Your Car, Undercarriage & Floor Mats

While you should consistently wash your car throughout the year, it is especially important to thoroughly wash your car after months of driving through road salt. Over time, a buildup of road salt can cause damage and rust the undercarriage of the car. Road salt can also eat away at your car’s paint. As we head into the spring, be sure to wash away any excess salt. Even spray down the floor mats inside your car to get rid of any salt carried in from your shoes.

2. Replace Your Wiper Blades for Unobstructed Vision

After a long winter filled with ice and snow, wiper blades are left streaking and squeaking across your windshield. Ineffective wiper blades can create a real danger by impairing a driver’s vision. Rather than risk your safety during April showers, act now and provide yourself an unobstructed view. Replacing your wiper blades is a relatively inexpensive way to make sure your car is ready for the spring season.

2. Replace Your Wiper Blades for Unobstructed Vision

After a long winter filled with ice and snow, wiper blades are left streaking and squeaking across your windshield. Ineffective wiper blades can create a real danger by impairing a driver’s vision. Rather than risk your safety during April showers, act now and provide yourself an unobstructed view. Replacing your wiper blades is a relatively inexpensive way to make sure your car is ready for the spring season.

3. Check Your Tire Pressure

With lower temperatures comes lower tire pressure. The unforgiving winter cold can significantly lower your tire pressure, which can cause more wear and tear on the tires, as well as lower fuel efficiency. Tire pressure should always be monitored, especially as we head into a warmer weather season. Be sure to reference your car’s owner manual to ensure your tires are inflated to the recommended PSI. Also, be sure to inspect the tread of your tires to confirm that they are still in good shape.

4. Continue Servicing Your Car

No matter what season it is, it is always important service your car regularly. Timely oil changes, filter replacements and fluid refills are essential to keep your car running at peak performance. Always reference your car’s owner manual for more information about which parts of your car should consistently be serviced and when.

4. Continue Servicing Your Car

No matter what season it is, it is always important service your car regularly. Timely oil changes, filter replacements and fluid refills are essential to keep your car running at peak performance. Always reference your car’s owner manual for more information about which parts of your car should consistently be serviced and when.

For lessees of Fusion Auto Finance, be sure to reference our “No Surprises” Wear and Tear Policy” as a guide for servicing your leased vehicle. Stay informed on what qualifies as acceptable and normal wear and tear, as well as what is considered excessive and chargeable.

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