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The fall season in Ohio means great football, cool evening's out on the deck, and back to school. At Van's Tires & Service, fall means all of these things, plus helping customers prepare their vehicles to tackle the season's rapidly changing road conditions.

There are a number of maintenance items that we suggest to ensure your car, truck, SUV, minivan, or commercial vehicle is ready for fall.

Tire Maintenance - When temperatures drop so does the air pressure in your tires. Make sure to check your tire pressure with every other fuel-up and inflate to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. You can find this information on a tag inside your driver door opening. Make sure to drop by for a comprehensive tire inspection, and get them rotated and balanced if it has been more than 6,000 miles since your last tire rotation.

Cooling System Check - Your antifreeze keeps your engine block from getting damaged in freezing temperatures. Before the snow flies have your system checked for leaks and top off your coolant. When you visit for a cooling system service our techs will test your coolant to make sure it is ready for freezing weather.

Wipers and Lights - Fog and frosty windshields are typical of fall mornings in our area.  A new set of wiper blades is an inexpensive way to make sure you will be able to see the road ahead. Make sure your headlights are working properly and are properly adjusted to light up the road. If your headlight lenses look hazy or yellow have Van's Tires & Service restore them for better visibility. Peripheral and auxiliary lights help other drivers see you in low visibility situations so make sure they are all working properly.

Climate Control Check - Even though we tend to associate your heater with cooler temperatures, your air conditioner is responsible for removing moisture from your glass and is a key to proper defogging. Remember to never use your max A/C or recirculate function with the heater as this traps moisture inside the car and puts it on the inside of your windshield.  Check the air intake vents at the base of your windshield right at the back of your hood for debris and leaves and clear this area regularly to keep fresh air flowing into your passenger cabin.

Brake Inspection - Anytime is a great time to have your brakes checked, but fall brings higher traffic and more kids near the road as school gets back in session. Wildlife is also on the move in the fall and is more likely to cross your path. Don't forget that greater demands on your brakes when snow and ice cover the road. With more reasons to stop in a hurry, it's a good idea to make sure your brakes are ready to do their job.

Van's Tires & Service encourages you to stop into one of our five convenient Ohio stores for all of your fall maintenance needs.  Give us a call to schedule an appointment and get your vehicle ready to take you smoothly through the season.