While it looks like we may be able to squeeze a few more weeks (or days) of summer out of Mother nature, now is the time to start preparing your car for the colder, winter months. Don’t be the person stuck on the side of the road without provisions, or even just stuck doing this stuff in the cold! Here are a few tips from North Island Nissan.

Maintenance Tips:

• Replace your carpeted mats with rubber (or waterproof) mats.

• Check & Replace windshield wipers if they are more than 6 months old, or not working properly.

• Check windshield washer fluid & start using fluid wit hde-icer

• Check radiator coolant level (if you aren’t sure how to do this safely take it into North Island Nissan’s service department!)

• Check hoses for wear or leaks

• Check all lights (headlights, brake lights, tail lights, signal lights) to ensure they are clean and working properly. As we get into the cooler months daylight also decreases making these lights even more important

We don’t often think about “Fall Safety Driving”, but it is a real thing! Remember that Halloween also falls into this season and almost every child in your town will be walking the streets at the most hazardous time of day!

Fall Safety Tips:

• Remember that once the leaves start falling they can create a slip hazard on the road, especially on curves or wet surfaces.

• Leaves can also hide potholes or bumps in the road

• Don’t park on dry leaves – the heat from your exhaust system can ignite the leaves!

• Watch for deer in the early morning and early evening – as well as other critters/pets

• Slow down and remember it’s challenging driving at dusk during the Fall. It’s harder to see obstacles (such as children or pets). Remember to wear sunglasses and put your visor down. When the sun sets and visibility improves, remember to take off the glasses and raise the visor as that can create another hazard right there!

Like we said earlier, gather this stuff up and have it ready in your car for winter driving season, and save yourself from having to gather it all up during the first winter storm you have to drive in. Keep everything organized in a box in the back of your car or a clear container for optimum organization.

Fall/Winter Safety/Maintenance Supplies:

• Ice Scraper with brush

• Flashlight (with NEW batteries!)

• Shovel (folding)

• Road Salt

• Jumper Cables

• Carpet strips for traction

• Blanket, extra jackets, gloves, socks

• Complete First Aid Kit

• Water, Energy Bars, etc

• Candles with matches

E-mail us your fall-driving maintenance, driving or safety supply tip, and we might feature it on our social media streams! ashley@northislandnissan.ca

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t forget about our Summer Slammer Deal, on until the end of September! Includes a tire rotation, oil change & inspection! Click Here for more details!