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We blinked, and suddenly it's October! Here in Colorado, the mornings are brisk, and the leaves have gorgeous hues of gold, red, and orange. Many households take advantage of this season to decorate for Halloween and take their vehicles in for a checkup!
Fall is the season to have your vehicle checked and schedule any needed repairs before the frigid weather arrives. There is no such thing as an ideal time to be stranded on the side of the road, but in freezing temperatures, it can be worse than inconvenient – it can be downright dangerous.
To help you avoid winter woes, we want to share the top three ways you can prepare your vehicle during Autumn for the coming Winter months.
Tires
If you are new to driving in snow, first off, welcome to Colorado! Many people have moved into the Aurora and Denver Metro area and have yet to experience our schizophrenic weather.
With that said, tires that can help you safely maneuver around snow, ice, and steep hills are an essential safety feature. Here is a video showing why you need winter tires, even when you own a 4WD vehicle.
Emergency Kit
October is also a great time to prepare and store an emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle. Even the most diligent of drivers who follow meticulous maintenance schedules can have a spot of back luck. Consider including these items in your winter emergency car kit:
Batteries and flashlight
Bottled water
Reflective triangles
Jumper cables
Blanket
Gloves, hat, scarf
Paper towels and toilet paper
Candle and matches
Non-perishable snacks -- including Protein bars, crackers, or dried fruit
If you often drive with pets, include some pet food or treats and have a spare leash at the ready
Ice scraper
Snow shovel
Phone charger and list of important phone numbers in case you can't charge (especially since most of us no longer have them memorized)
Winterizing Your Vehicle
If you rely on your vehicle, you need it to be ready to go whenever you are. Changing temperatures throughout the year require your vehicle to adjust to the weather. Fortunately, Aurora Auto Pros offers a Digital Visual Inspection to help you prepare for the Winter months and remove the guesswork.
When you visit your go-to auto repair shop, start by asking your mechanic to check the following:
Battery – charging system, cables, and terminal
Windshield wipers
Brakes
Tire tread
Tire pressure
Drive Belts
Hoses
Coolant
Air Filter
Lights
Engine Oil
Power Steering, Brake, and Transmission fluid
Our professional automotive repair team is ready to inspect your vehicle and make recommendations to give you the confidence to weather the cold. At Aurora AutoPros, we take pride in helping our customers understand the whole picture – what systems are in great shape, what is starting to show wear/needs attention, and what (if anything) needs urgent attention. Our Service Advisors will always explain the findings of our ASE Certified Technicians. And all of our work is backed by our 36-Month/36,000-Mile Nationwide Warranty!
Suppose you plan to be in Aurora and the Denver Metro Area during the cold months. In that case, we strongly advise you to obtain the winter tires, the fully-stocked emergency kit and that you winterize your vehicle so you can safely drive around town.
For best service, schedule an appointment with Aurora AutoPros before Thanksgiving so you won't have to add stress to the loving chaos of the holiday season. We look forward to seeing you soon. Also, we invite you to follow us on Facebook and our social media channels and see what engaging, entertaining, educational, and fun things we share with our community.