Easy to Read Checklist for Back to School/End of Summer Car Care

Unlike the previous summers, we bet you took your car on at least a short vacation and had a blast! 

While relaxing on a trip is one of the best stress relievers around, you shouldn’t take your car for granted. 

Soon you will be shuffling the kids back and forth to school, to see their friends, to ballet class and soccer practice, and birthday parties, along with the usual driving you do every week. 

Before things get hectic, the lull before the first winter storms is the perfect time to give your ride a little pick-me-up and keep it looking as good as it operates. 

We’ve made a short checklist of items that you might want to take a look at, as well as some good things to add to your “to-do” list before winter. 

A Quick Car Care Checklist 

All those extra miles you put on the odometer mean that some items might need replacing/changing or refreshing. 

• Tires- Inspecting your tires now is a great way to find out if you’ll need to replace them before winter. Get down on your hands and knees to check the entire tread, not just the sidewall. If you see any bald spots, missing chunks, cupping (which looks like someone has been scooping out pieces with an ice cream server) or if there are bubbles or large cracks on the sidewall, or if you can see Lincoln’s head when you place a penny in the tread, it’s time for new tires. If the tires look ok, check the air pressure and you’re probably good till next year. 
• Battery- The first hot day in the summer and the first day that temps fall below 40 degrees are when weak batteries give up the ghost. If your battery is more than 3 years old, you’ll want to have it tested by the pros at Hong Kong Auto Service so you can avoid being stuck at the worst possible moment. 
• Inspect Front and Rear Wiper Blades: If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, it’s probably time. Don’t wait in line with 50 other people at the auto parts store to buy wipers when the first rain or snow hits. Change them now and you should be good for another year. Oh yes, this is also a good time to empty and add winterized windshield washer fluid. 
• Switch Out Those Floor Mats- If you have all-weather floor mats stored in the garage, this would be the perfect time to put them back in the car. 
• Wash/Wax/Detail- Grab the kids and a couple of buckets and give your ride a good wash and wax. By the end of October, it might be too cold to apply wax. While you’re at it, remove all those unnecessary summer items, like boogie boards, blow-up pool toys, luggage or bike racks, swim trunks, swim fins, etc. Give the inside a good cleaning as well so at least your car will start off looking neat before all the mud, grime, and snow accumulate inside. 
• Inspect the Heater Operation- If you’ve ever spent a winter morning waiting for the defroster to work and it never did or if you shivered all the way to work because there was no heat, you’ll know what we mean. A quick 5-minute check to ensure that the defroster is working, that the heater is pumping plenty of hot air, and that all the speeds of the fan are working will pay off in the long run. 
• Top Off/Change the Antifreeze- Sometimes called coolant, this liquid is what keeps your car from overheating in the summer and from freezing up in the winter. Most manufacturers recommend that you flush the fluid every 2 years of 24,000 miles, but you can check your owner’s manual. If you can’t remember when you last had it done, call Hong Kong Auto Service. We can test the fluid and ensure that the entire cooling system is working properly. 
• Check the Lights- Since days are longer, we don’t use our headlights or other driving lights as often. This means that some light bulbs may have burned out during the summer. Check all the lights, interior, and exterior, and replace any bulbs that are super dim or that have burned out entirely. Oh yes, don’t forget that license plate light! 
• Restock the Emergency Kit- If you used some items during the summer, such as first aid or water, it’s time to restock for the winter. Replace food items and water, and be sure that flashlights have new batteries, etc. An emergency bag does no good if it’s not fully stocked with fresh supplies. 

Does this sound like a big chore? It’s not nearly as big as what could happen if you have a tire blowout, if you get stopped by the police due to a burned-out light bulb, or if you are stranded because of a dead battery. 

Not Sure How/Don’t Have Time to Check Some of The Items Above? 

We get it. Not everyone has the time to look at or replace maintenance items and even more, people don’t have a clue as to where to start. 

Not to worry. Call the pros at Hong Kong Auto Service for an appointment today. 

Our ASE-Certified mechanics will be happy to inspect your battery, windshield wipers, and tires, replace the coolant if needed, or do any other maintenance items that you may have neglected over the summer. 

OK, we won’t wash and wax your car, but we can tell you where you can get a great deal! 

Call or stop by Hong Kong Auto Service today. 

It’s always sad to see summer come to an end, but fall is nearly here, and just behind it, winter and the holidays. 

Make sure you and your family reach their destination safely by spending a few hours taking care of your car today!