Although we’ve enjoyed an unseasonably warm fall, winter weather will eventually arrive in northern Colorado. Best Auto Repair in Longmont wants to give our clients the peace of mind that their vehicle is in prime operating condition this winter by providing thorough yet affordable routine maintenance. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is an independent nonprofit that has been testing and certifying auto technicians in a variety of areas for over 45 years. Below are recommendations from ASE to ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving conditions.

Low-Cost Routine Maintenance Tips for Safe Winter Driving in Longmont

• Check the Battery– Professional equipment is the only accurate way to measure a battery’s strength, and in some new models, removing battery cables can cause data loss or damage.
• Inspect Lights– Bright, clear headlights are just as important to proper visibility as good wiper blades and windshield washing fluid. Have dim bulbs replaced and clouded lenses refinished.
• Check Brakes & Transmission– Having these critical parts assessed at the manufacturer’s suggested intervals will catch small problems and prevent costly future repairs.
• Inspect Exhaust System– Checking the undercarriage, trunk and floorboards along with the exhaust line when the vehicle is lifted will ensure no deadly fumes are entering the cabin through leaks.
• Address Engine Problems– If your car is showing signs of poor performance, such as hard starts, rough idling, stalling or diminished power, get the engine evaluated now before cold weather makes the problem worse. Our mechanics will also inspect and tighten the drive belt, clamps and hoses during their extensive review.
• Replace Fluids– Following the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule for replacing fluids, such as the cooling system, will keep your vehicle in optimal condition. This includes changing the oil at regular intervals, which is the most neglected service yet essential for protecting the engine!

In addition to the above services, the ASE-certified technicians at Best Auto Repair in Longmont will also inspect the tires, heater and defroster as part of our thorough routine maintenance to ensure your car is ready for winter!

Drivers tend to forget about their wipers until they are no longer working well. This is a mistake, since clear visibility is essential to safe driving and poorly performing wipers are a true hazard on the road. Wipers have to endure a lot of challenging conditions including abrasive dirt, extreme temperatures and degradation from sunlight. It is important to not wait too long to get new wiper blades and Best Auto Repair of Longmont has a wide selection of high-quality choices that are on sale now.

Factors to Consider for New Wiper Blades

• Type: The most common design has a rubber blade that attaches onto a spring-tension frame. These types of blades are conventional wipers. The other type, called beam or bracketless blades, differ in that they have no separate frame. Instead, the spring steel is inside the rubber to provide more uniform pressure.
• Installation: A hook mount is the most common mounting method; where the adapter is lined up with a hook and pressed into place. Finding stand-alone insert replacements is rare and a complicated replacement process. For proper performance, replacing blades should be done in a well-lit, dry environment- not on a dark, rainy night when fed up with bad visibility.
• Timing: It’s best to schedule blade replacement as part of your routine auto maintenance. The most effective timing twice annually- at the beginning of winter and summer, as these two seasons bring on the harshest weather conditions. Severe temperatures, sunlight and road debris breaks down rubber quickly.

Consumer Reports found that “[i]n general, the more expensive beam blade wipers tended to perform as well or better than conventional blades, but the inexpensive beam blade models tended to perform worse than conventional blades.” Best Auto Repair of Longmont is offering a 2-for-1 special on new wiper blades now through the end of the year- hurry in to make sure you can see clearly on the road to all of your holiday events!

“One of the easiest- and, perhaps, most important- ways to maintain your car is by regularly checking fluid levels” says Tom Moor of Angie’s List. Whether your vehicle is due for an oil change or you are planning a road trip, trust the experienced mechanics at Best Auto Repair in Longmont to conduct a thorough fluid check to keep your car in optimal driving condition.

Car Fluid Check

1. Oil– After wiping the dipstick and removing it again, the level should not be below marking and the oil should not appear dirty- if it is, then it’s time to schedule an oil change.
2. Transmission fluid– Unlike engine oil, newer cars often do not have a transmission dipstick for owners to check the level themselves. Mechanics can assess the level and state of transmission fluid as part of an oil change- if it is dark brown or smells burnt, it needs replaced. Typically transmission fluid lasts for 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
3. Power steering fluid– Some tanks have a dipstick while others are designed to be assessed by just removing the cap. Consult your vehicle’s manual to know when to change the power steering fluid- the recommendation can range from every two years to every 100,000 miles.
4. Coolant– The coolant reservoir is transparent so you can easily assess the amount remaining. If more is needed, make sure the coolant is premixed and does not need to be diluted by half with water.
5. Windshield wiper fluid– Especially important to maintain during the winter, windshield washing fluid is also stored in a transparent tank for instant visible assessment. And just like when checking the oil or coolant, it is important to wait until the engine is cool before checking wiper fluid level.
6. Brake fluid– Also housed in a translucent reservoir, the master cylinder for brake fluid is located near the back of the engine. Brake fluid should be changed every 45,000 miles on average.

If you suspect any of the above fluid’s are running low in your vehicle, bring it in for a thorough car fluid check by the ASE-certified technicians at Best Auto Repair in Longmont.