When preparing for winter in Tennessee, it's essential to ensure your vehicle is well-maintained for safe travels. Maintenance and auto repairs need to be performed throughout the year, but your vehicle needs a bit more thought in winter. Proper winter car care can prevent a breakdown or even an accident. Here is a list of helpful tips to ensure you’re safe on the road during the winter months: Battery Check: Cold weather makes it harder for an engine to turn over and has a negative impact on the power a battery can deliver. Test your car's battery, and make sure there is no corrosion on the terminals. If your battery is old, consider a battery replacement. Lights and Signals: Check and maintain your headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights, ensuring safe visibility. Any burnt-out bulbs should be promptly replaced, preventing compromised visibility in adverse conditions. Windshield Wipers and Fluid: Many drivers discover their windshield wiper blades need replacing and they are out of windshield wiper fluid when they cannot see out their windshield. Having new wiper blades and enough wiper fluid is crucial to keeping your windshield free of ice, snow, salt, brine, and mud. Make sure you have a good quality ice scraper and brush in your car. Coolant/Antifreeze Levels: In winter, the Coolant/Antifreeze lowers the freezing point and prevents freeze-up, which could crack an engine block. The Coolant also contains anticorrosion agents which prevent build up in the Radiator and Heater Core, which is essential to keeping your passengers warm. It’s very important to make sure the Cooling System is in good working order for winter driving. Heater and Defroster: The heater and defroster need to be in good working condition for comfort and visibility. Your air conditioner needs to be functional as well to ensure proper defrost operation to prevent your windows from fogging up. Tire Inspection: It is important to check that your tires are properly inflated for winter conditions. Cold weather causes air pressure in your tires to drop at approximately 1 PSI per 10 degrees. Therefore, you should monitor your tire pressure at least once a month, and make sure that you let your tires cool down before checking the pressure. Remember to check your tires, including the spare, for any damage or conditions that may need attention: the tread and sidewalls for any cuts, punctures, bulges, scrapes, cracks, or bumps. Check Your Belts And Hoses: Your belts and hoses tend to weaken and get brittle in cold temperatures. Belts and hoses are important in keeping your engine running. You can prepare by checking all belts and hoses for cracks or signs of wear and tear. Brake System: Road conditions may become hazardous in the winter. Have your brakes inspected for sufficient fluid and check the brakes pad for wear and tear. Your brakes need to be in optimal working condition at all times. Engine Oil: Make sure to check your oil levels and condition. Cold weather tends to thicken oil and reduce its ability to circulate through the engine, so make sure that you have fresh oil to keep your car running smoothly. Check your owner's manual for specific recommendations. Emergency Kit: To prevent a dangerous situation if you break down, be sure to have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, water, flashlight and a portable charger. You should always keep an emergency kit in your car in case you are stranded and need to wait for assistance. And last but not least, remember to keep your gas tank at least half full in freezing and cold temperatures! By following these tips and ensuring your vehicle is serviced at a reliable shop like Heavensent Automotive in Franklin, you can confidently prepare for the unique winter conditions of the region. This preparation will make your travel safer and more enjoyable, whether you're navigating the busy streets, taking your kids to and from school and activities, or exploring the area. Schedule an appointment today for our mechanics to inspect your vehicle and get you prepared for this winter season!
The Spring time is a great season for starting fresh. Many people use this time of year to clean out their attics, garages, and homes to give themselves a feeling of renewal. But what about your vehicle? The Spring is a great time to make sure your car's engine is tuned-up and running properly! Here are 5 tips for giving your vehicle a renewal this Spring... 1: Oil & Oil Filters Getting the oil changed in your vehicle might seem like a no-brainer. But, with busy schedules and lots to do, it can be easy to forget about changing your car's oil and oil filters. When is the last time you had your oil changed? Depending on the type of oil you use, it is recommended to change it every 3,000 - 5,000 miles. Need an oil change? Contact our shop today to schedule an appointment! 2: Check The Fluids Next, it's important to check all of the fluids and fluid levels in your vehicle. Most cars have several different fluids: transmission fluid, brake fluid, and engine coolant and the big three. Getting the levels of these fluids checked and topping them off or replacing them is a great way to maintain your vehicle and keep it running longer. Not sure when to flush your fluids? Contact one of our auto experts for help! 3: Tire Rotation & Tire Check Winter months can put a lot of wear and tear on your vehicle, especially your tires ! Now is the time to check the tread on your tires to make sure they don't need to be replaced. If the tires have some tread left, then you might want to rotate them in order to keep the wear even. Did you know that we can rotate your tires for you and even replace them if you need new ones? 4: Windshield Wipers Spring is coming and with the Spring comes the rainy season. Nothing is worse than being on the highway during a downpour and having old windshield wipers that can barely clear the rain. Not only is this annoying, but it can also be very dangerous. Now is the time to check your wiper blades and replace them before it starts getting rainy. At this time, you should also check your windshield fluid levels and top them off! 5: Check The Battery Although most car batteries will last a long time, especially if your alternator is in good shape, it's important to test the battery now and again. Since you are doing a check up on your vehicle, now is a great time to test the health of your battery. Nothing is worse than having a battery die in a parking lot and needing a tow or a jump. Bring your vehicle to our shop to learn more about our battery services! Contact Us For An Appointment! By following these tips, you can ensure that your car will be working well for the new season. Regular maintenance, checking fluid levels, and keeping an eye on your tires and battery, will help your car to run smoothly and safely! Are you looking for a reliable auto repair shop in Franklin? You've come to the right place! We have been serving the automotive needs of the Franklin community for many years. Contact us today to schedule a service!
Extreme cold weather in Franklin only happens from time to time, but knowing how to prepare your vehicle for the cold is important for the well-being of your car and the safety of your family. To ensure that your car is ready for the colder months, it's important to take a few steps to get it prepped for Winter weather. Here are some tips on how to get your car prepared for cold weather in Franklin: Check Your Battery Cold weather can be hard on car batteries, so it's important to have your battery checked when temperatures drop in Franklin. If your battery is more than three years old or showing signs of wear, it might be time to think about a battery replacement. Learn more about our battery services by clicking here . Check Your Tire Pressure Tires lose air pressure in the cold weather, which can affect their performance and make them more likely to lose traction. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have enough tread to handle the colder weather. Most cars have tire pressure indicators now that will tell you when you need to fill your tires with more air. Check the side panel of the driver's side door for correct pressure ratings for each tire. Get Fluid Levels Checked Cold weather can cause fluids to thicken and lose their effectiveness. Make sure your oil, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid levels are all at the correct levels. If you need to have your car's fluid levels checked, contact us to schedule an appointment. Our team of professional technicians can quickly tell you the status of all your vehicle's fluids. Check Your Head Lights & Tail Lights Make sure all your lights are working properly, including your headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals. This will help ensure you have good visibility and other drivers can see you. If it happens to snow in Franklin, or on a rainy day, it can be hard to see when driving. Having good headlights is critical to your safety in these conditions. Make Sure Your Heater & Defroster Are Working Make sure your heater and defroster are working properly, so you can stay warm and comfortable during your drive. When the temperatures do drop, a good defroster can help you to clear the fog and ice from your windshield so you can increase visibility and drive safely. Test Your Brakes Cold weather can make braking more difficult and dangerous, so it's important to have your brakes checked when temperature drops. If your brakes or rotors are old, it might be worth changing them so that you have full control over your vehicle when driving in Winter conditions. Contact us today to learn about our brake services . Contact Us For An Appointment! By following these tips, you can ensure that your car is prepared for the colder weather. Regular maintenance, checking fluid levels, and keeping an eye on your tires and battery, will help your car to run smoothly and safely during the colder months. Are you looking for a reliable auto repair shop in Franklin? You've come to the right place! We have been serving the automotive needs of the Franklin community for many years. Contact us today to make surte that your car is Winter-ready!