Fall is officially here and the colder days can be hard on your vehicle.

Caring for your car and keeping it in proper running order takes a little bit of effort, but you can always count on United Auto Group's specialists to keep your vehicle running well.
To make it easy to keep track of your car maintenance schedule, we’ve created a simple car maintenance checklist to help you keep on top of your automotive maintenance.
To maximize the life and performance of your vehicle, here is a list of items you should check this fall season. 
 
1- Change oil and filter

The motor oil in your vehicle’s engine serves a whole slew of functions: it lubricates the moving parts, helps act as a sealant against debris, cools the engine, reduces wear and tear, and helps prevent engine corrosion. Keeping it clean is vital for good engine health. Depending on your car and what kind of oil you’re using, you may need to change both the oil & oil filter as much as every 3 months or 3000 miles. Many newer vehicles’ owners’ manuals will recommend changing your oil less frequently – often in-between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. Check your vehicle owner’s manual and consult with a professional to be certain what is appropriate for your vehicle.

2- Get a battery check 

Your car battery is one of the most important components for your vehicle to run. A car battery supplies large amounts of electrical current for the starter, engine and other electronic accessories in the vehicle. Extreme temperatures affect the performance of the battery so regular battery testing will ensure that battery will perform when you need it to.


3- Get a set of tires 

Depending on your vehicle alignment, usage, and many other factors, the tread wear patterns on your tires may vary between the front and back tires, or even from one side of the tread to the other. Rotating your tires will help to extend the service life of your tires by more evenly balancing the tread wear, and helping prevent noise and vibration problems.
Depending on where you live and the winter driving conditions you might encounter, you might want to switch your tires in cold, snowy months to a winter/snow tire. When the temperature hovers at or below freezing consistently, the tire compounds in non-winter tires hardens, decreasing traction and handling performance while increasing braking distance. Winter tires are have tread patterns and compounds designed to remain soft in the cold and provide grip in snow, slush, and icy driving conditions.