With fall almost here, the team here at Auto Clinic of Franklin have some very important tips to offer our valued clients about safe fall driving. When the season changes driving conditions change as well. There are specific dangers that come into play that drivers should be on the lookout for when driving in the fall months. The tips we have here for you are meant to help our clients know just what to look for this fall when driving. Read More
Now that summer is coming to a close and the fall and winter months ahead, the team here at Auto Clinic of Franklin want to remind all our valued clients not to fall behind on their vehicle maintenance. We highly recommend all our clients perform maintenance on their vehicles to properly prepare them for the challenging fall and winter driving seasons ahead.
TOP 6 FALL PREPARATION VEHICLE MAINTENANCE TIPS
Get Ready for the Slippery Fall and Winter Driving Conditions – The fall season typically presents with lots of rain and falling leaves that make for very slippery driving conditions, as we all know. Here at Auto Clinic of Franklin we want to ensure that your tires and vehicles are set to handle the many challenging driving conditions that present themselves during the fall and winter months.
Proper Tire Pressure – Ensure that your tires have sufficient air pressure and treads for the driving months ahead. Be sure that you measure the tire pressure, including your spare tire, and make certain they are balanced and properly inflated. When your tires are at optimal pressure levels they not only will last longer, but will also save on gas and enhance the overall handling and driving capabilities of your vehicle.
Windshield Wiper Blades – Install new wiper blades to accommodate the rainy conditions as well as any winter snowfalls. If your wipers are split, squeaking, streaking or skip at all, then it’s time to invest in a new winter set of blades.
Wheel alignment and Suspension – Before the cold weather sets in, be sure to have one of our certified mechanics inspect both the wheel alignment and suspension of your vehicle to ensure that your vehicle will provide you with a safe and smooth ride in the cold weather months ahead.
Check Your Battery, Wires and Plugs – Temperature and weather changes can challenge your vehicle’s electrical components and minimize the performance of your vehicle. With that said, the qualified technicians here at Auto Clinic of Franklin want to remind you to test and if necessary replace your vehicle’s battery, plugs and wires.
Check Your Braking System – The fall season lets loose with a whole lot of rain and the winter months can present with cold, icy conditions. With that said, be sure to have your braking system fully inspected, including the brake fluid levels, the hoses and lines, as well as your emergency parking brake to ensure they are in operating order.
Routine comprehensive fall/winter vehicle maintenance that is performed not only will improve the safety of your vehicle, yourself and your passengers, but will also help to prolong the lifespan of your vehicle as well. We all know how tricky driving can be in the slippery fall months, especially with excessive rainfall mixed with lots of beautiful falling leaves. So, take time out to ensure that your vehicle can meet the cold weather driving challenges ahead. In addition to defensive, careful driving techniques and habits, be sure you have also invested in the proper amount of car insurance as well. There could be a variety of hazards when driving during the cold weather seasons, and having proper auto insurance in place will certainly benefit you should an accident or other incident occur.
We hope you have found this blog informative and useful and want to remind all our valued clients that when you find yourself in need of top of the line automotive products, repairs and services, whether preventative or not, then surely you have come to the right place. The team here at Auto Clinic of Franklin stands ready to meet all your automotive needs and that includes performing all your vehicle maintenance whether winter, spring, summer or fall. Contact our staff today and schedule your fall/winter vehicle maintenance today!
Contact us
Here at Auto Clinic of Franklin we are excited and happy that the cold weather season is over and that Mother Nature has now given way to the warm spring temperatures and the onset of budding flowers and trees. With that said, our friendly team of professionals wants to offer a few helpful spring driving tips to keep you and your family safe on the roadways this spring. Read More
With winter in full swing here in Middle Tennessee and spring surely on the way, it’s almost that time of the year for fun and adventure on the road to commence! If a spring excursion is on your list of things to do this year, it’s important to take into consideration the vehicle’s needs before you leave. After the cold has passed, we’re all itching to get outdoors, out of the house, and some of us, on the road. As part of your planning, we’ve put together a complete checklist from your trusted Franklin auto repair specialists at Auto Clinic of Franklin. We hope this helps you leave worrying about the condition of your vehicle to the experts at Auto Clinic of Franklin so you can enjoy your adventure without fail. Read More
Well the holidays are here, which usually means extensive holiday driving for a lot of folks. With that said the team here at Auto Clinic of Franklin wants to ensure that your vehicle is ready for all those highway miles you have to cover. We have put together some important tips to help you prepare for all your winter driving. Read More
Winter weather comes year after year and we all find ourselves having to drive in those frigid winter months. With that said the team here at Auto Clinic of Franklin want to remind all our valued clients to engage in cold weather vehicle maintenance before the winter season arrives. There are a variety of helpful tips you can use to winter proof your car that we have listed here below. Read More
Here at Auto Clinic of Franklin, it is certainly safe to say that we know a good deal about cars and tires alike. With that said, often times our clients will inquire as to whether or not it is necessary to invest in winter tires. When the temperatures outside begin to drop and winter makes its presence known, there are many benefits of having winter tires. Read More
With winter quickly creeping up on us, it would be foolish to try to head into the cold winter season without properly preparing your vehicle. With that said, the folks here at Auto Clinic of Franklin highly recommend you take advantage of our affordable Franklin auto services to ensure safe driving and traveling this winter. Winter driving can certainly be a bit of a challenge and struggle, but with proper routine maintenance and care, your vehicle will be ready to handle it all. Read More
Autumn is finally here and what a beautiful time of year it is. Though it is a sign that winter is on the way, the fall season presents us with a great many comforts, adventures and happenings. With that said, the folks here at Auto Clinic of Franklin want to remind all our clients that driving in the fall can be somewhat challenging and even dangerous at times. Autumn driving typically involves scenic routes that give way to fun filled adventures. However, fall driving can also give way to a variety of dangers as well. Read More
Have you ever found yourself confronted with a jammed parking brake? There are a number of situations that typically require a bit more braking power than normal, which is why it is important to know how to properly use your brake and avoid jamming it and other unpleasant situations as a result.
The team here at Auto Clinic of Franklin are committed and dedicated to providing top of the line products and services to all our clients. With that said, we want to take time here to acquaint you with your parking brake, how it works, when you should use it and what to do should it become jammed.
HOW DOES A PARKING BRAKE WORK?
Your car’s emergency braking system is connected to the rear brakes of your vehicle. There are a series of cables that are connected to the hand lever on the inside of your vehicle. When you pull up on your parking brake lever, the brakes are then engaged.
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE YOUR PARKING BRAKE?
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission you will more than likely use your emergency brake every time you put your vehicle in park. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission you will probably only use your brakes when you are parked on a hill, although we should all use our parking brake at all times and not just on a hill.
When you park your vehicle, a device known as a parking pawl is engaged. This is a metal pin that goes into a ring that is directly attached to your transmission. When your vehicle is in park, the pawl keeps the shaft in your transmission from turning. There are occasions when a parking pawl can break. In this instance, your parking brake serves as an added safeguard and prevents your car from moving. You should get in the habit of using your parking brake as often as possible. It does not harm your vehicle and is a surefire way of adding peace of mind that your vehicle will not be able to roll away.
HOW DOES MY PARKING BRAKE GET JAMMED?
One of the most common causes of a jammed parking brake is that of rust or corrosion. Water and dirt cause cables to erode which then can cause either your brakes to fail, your brake pads to stick to your wheels, or your cables to snap. In order to keep your brakes from getting stuck, you should use your emergency brake on a regular routine basis which ensures that the corrosion will not occur.
Keep in mind also that your emergency brake can also freeze in place when the weather conditions are cold and wet. This can, however, be resolved quite easily by simply turning on your vehicle and letting it warm up for a short period of time. In addition, your emergency brake can also get stuck if you pull it too hard. When you pull up on the lever too hard it will cause your brakes to get stuck against the wall of your wheel drums.
To release a stuck brake there are a few things you can do. You can start by trying to rock the vehicle back and forth if you are in a safe place or even get under the vehicle and pull the cables. You can also try setting and then releasing the brake several times in your attempt to knock the brake free. Finally, if none of these tactics work, then it’s time to call in the tow truck.
The professionals here at Auto Clinic of Franklin highly recommend you maintain the system with routine service, make every effort to use your parking brake as often as possible, and take it easy when you are either engaging or disengaging the lever so as to avoid a jammed parking brake.
Remember, if you are in need of any type of routine maintenance services or automotive repairs then we are the team for you. Recognized for our quality products and services, our friendly, professional technicians and our affordable prices, the folks here at Auto Clinic of Franklin stand ready to serve you. Winter driving is not far off, so take time out now, if you haven’t already, to have your vehicle tuned-up in time for the cold weather season ahead. Don’t delay. Contact our team today. You’ll be more than glad you did!!
