Caring For Your Car this Fall

OKEMOS, Mich., – Say goodbye to the summer and hello to the fall! It's time for pumpkin patches, hayrides, bonfires, and plenty of fall fun! However, did you know that the changing temperatures and weather can affect your vehicle's performance? Believe it or not, some of the most important components in your vehicle can become worn or damaged by the colder temperatures of the fall. At Graff Okemos, we want to make sure you're ready to take on the unpredictable Michigan weather. With this in mind, we've put together a guide to caring for your car this fall! You can learn the importance of caring for your vehicle's weather strips, heating and ventilation system, windshield, belts and hoses, and even tips on what to put in your emergency kit this season. Check out our Fall Car Care page for more information on these important components and what they do for your vehicle today!

Weather Strips

The black rubber linings around your doors, windows, trunk, and windshield are called weather strips. They work to keep water, dirt, and air out of your vehicle while you drive. Damaged weather strips are very noticeable, but it can sometimes be difficult to find the damaged section to determine what part of your weather strip requires maintenance. If you hear the sounds of wind while you drive or notice small pools of water forming in your vehicle, it could mean that one of your weather strips is damaged. Take a look at our weather stripping page to learn how to protect your weather strips from damage, how to spot damage to your weather strips, and where your weather strips are located throughout your vehicle.

Heating and Ventilation System

Your vehicle's heating and ventilation system keeps you warm on cold days and helps to defrost your windows before you drive! Without a properly working heating and ventilation system, you can potentially lose visibility on the road and you won't be able to enjoy a comfortable commute to work or school with a warm vehicle. Learn about the importance of your heating and ventilation system, what to do if you need any components replaced, and how to properly maintain your vehicle's heating and ventilation system during the changing seasons.

Windshield

Believe it or not, your windshield is one of the most important safety features in your vehicle! Your windshield protects you from outside elements while you drive and also provides up to 45% of your vehicle's structural integrity in front-end collisions and up to 60% in rollover accidents. In the event of an accident, your windshield helps to hold your vehicle together and prevents your roof from caving in. On our Windshield Care page, you can learn more about the importance of proper windshield care, what to do if you find any cracks or chips, and how to prevent them from expanding and causing further damage to your windshield.

Belts and Hoses

Have you ever wondered how many components need to work in order for your engine to run? Your vehicle's belts and hoses are responsible for transferring power and fluids to important components in your engine, allowing it to function properly. Broken or damaged belts and hoses can potentially damage and disable your engine. Checking them in the fall is extremely important because the changing weather can cause these components to crack or break in colder temperatures. Read up on our Belts and Hoses page to learn how to inspect, protect, and improve the efficiency of these integral parts of your engine.

Emergency Kit

It never hurts to be prepared, especially when it comes to the unpredictability of Michigan's seasons! Keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle will help you to remain ready for any situation that you come across while you're out on the road. Read up on our Emergency Kit page to discover the necessary items you should keep in your emergency kit throughout the year and important items you'll want to keep on hand during the winter. If you wind up stranded on the road or require assistance, your emergency kit can help to keep you warm, safe, and secure while you wait for help!

Your vehicle is a huge investment. Keeping up on routine maintenance can make the difference between enjoying the fall season and winding up in a bad situation on the road when the temperatures drop. Caring for your car this fall only takes a few minutes but the benefits of Fall Car Care outweigh the time it takes to perform a quick check-up! Take a look at your weather strips, heating and ventilation system, belts and hoses, windshield, and emergency kit this fall to make sure you're able to take on the cold weather when the snow starts to fall! If you have any questions or would like assistance with your Fall Car Care routine, let us know and we'll gladly perform a check-up, inspection, or help to answer any questions you may have!

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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