Fall Vehicle Service Tips

Sometimes it can get as cold as 2° C or even lower in Toronto during fall. The last thing you want to encounter on your way to work is a failed heating system in temperatures like that. To avoid freezing on your morning commute, do a test of your vehicle’s HVAC system. After blasting the air conditioning all summer, switch to heat and see how long it takes for the air to turn warm. After 5 minutes, if you don’t feel the air getting noticeably warmer, bring your vehicle to our team at INFINITI Downtown to check it out.

Something that often goes overlooked are the fluids that help your vehicle run smoothly. While most people know how to replace windshield wiper fluid, there are a handful of others that need to be checked and topped off:

• Engine oil (and oil filter)
• Transmission fluid
• Brake fluid
• Power steering fluid

When you’re under the hood and checking on fluids, you should also take a look at your car battery. The heat from summer can take a toll on the battery, causing it to eventually fail when temperatures turn colder. Not only should you check the strength of the battery, but you should also look for any signs of corrosion around the terminals or any loose cables. If you’re concerned about anything related to the battery, come see our service team at INFINITI Downtown.

How often do you do a walk-around of your vehicle to check on its various components? Chances are that you just get in the driver’s seat and start going without thinking about it. Now is an ideal time to check on the exterior features of your car to check for anything that needs to be repaired or replaced. Start from one side of the vehicle and check the following features:

• Tires: Look for any cracking, bulging, or excessive tread wear and replace if needed.
• Lights: Make sure all lights (including fog lights and high beams) are working well.
• Windows: Check for any chips or cracks, especially in the windshield, and have the glass replaced.
• Paint: If you notice any major scratches or dents, have our team fix those to help the paint from getting rusted.

Similar to your car’s battery, the windshield wiper blades can actually undergo quite a bit of damage from excessive heat. They can easily become cracked or can tear if they are not wet enough when you use them. Check for any signs of damage on the rubber blades as well as any warping that could cause the blade to miss parts of the windshield. If you notice excessive rust on the metal component of the wipers, we can replace those too!

Default content goes here!With temperatures soon to drop, you’ll probably need to update the items that are in your car’s emergency kit. Rather than having cooling ice packs, switch to heat packs and more blankets. Here are some other items you may want to include in your kit:

• Jumper cables
• Small shovel
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Cell phone charger
• Reflective triangle or flares
• Cat litter or sand (helps with tire traction)