Suspension

October is Fall Car Care Month, the perfect time to fall into a vehicle maintenance program and get your car ready for the challenges of harsh winter weather.

Hitting a pothole can damage tires, wheels, steering and suspension, wheel alignment and more. The Car Care Council recommends that motorists who experience any of the following warning signs after hitting a pothole should have a professional technician at their local repair shop inspect the vehicle.

Now that winter is just a memory, millions of Americans will take to the roads to enjoy the warmer weather. The Car Care Council reminds motorists that spring is the perfect time of year to make sure your vehicle is ready for the upcoming travel season.

Whether you’re driving across the country or driving across town, the Car Care Council recommends checking the following vehicle components before embarking on your next trip:

Exterior:

Hurricane sufferers of Katrina and Rita who have already been displaced from their homes and lives, are now being further victimized by swindlers who are looking to take advantage of them, especially women, by an illegal car selling scam that involves flood damaged cars.

Brake pads will tell you when they need replacement, but rotors are a different story.  

Your car’s TPMS can save lives and fuel - but it needs to be maintained. If your vehicle was made after 2002, chances are pretty good that it has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Mandated by the Federal Government as a standard safety feature on all 2008 cars, vans, or light trucks, millions of TPMS equipped cars are already rolling on US roads. This system constantly monitors your car’s tire pressure and alerts you if it falls below a preset limit.

Even if gas prices hit $5 a gallon, the traditional family vacation by vehicle costs less, is more convenient and not as stressful as flying, according to the Car Care Council.  A family of four traveling by car costs the same as one person traveling by air.  

With heavy rain pounding many parts of the country and hurricane season in full swing, there’s a good chance that you’ll drive through high water that could damage your vehicle. Even though your vehicle may not have been flooded or completely covered in water, the Car Care Council recommends that motorists follow these guidelines to check for damage due to water intrusion or contamination: