Fall Car Care Checklist: Prepping Your Pre-Owned Vehicle for Michigan Winter

An upholstery stain or some trash in the back seat are examples of things that don’t need immediate attention with your vehicle. However, something that should be addressed quickly is any issues with your brakes. For National Brake Safety Awareness Month, Moran Certified Pre-Owned is focusing on warning signs telling you to schedule Moran service to have your system examined. more Spongy Brake Pedal Your brake pedal should feel firm, but if it’s soft, this is a problem. The culprit could be air in your brake lines or a leak with your brake fluid. It may also signal that the fluid has become contaminated and needs to be replaced. Shaking Does your vehicle shudder when you step on the pedal? This may be related to a bad rotor. It could be uneven or warped, but either way it needs some attention. Squealing Sound If you hear a squeal when braking, this is a warning about a brake pad. This is an indication that it’s getting thin and will need a replacement. Grinding Noise It’s important to take care of that thinning pad in a timely manner because if you wait too long, you’ll begin to hear grinding. This means that metal is rubbing on metal because the pad has worn through completely. Fluid Under Your Car Have you spotted fluid on your driveway? If it’s yellow and has an oily sheen, this is likely brake fluid, and this means that you have a leak somewhere. Schedule Your Brake Service in Chesterfield, MI You never want to take any chances with vehicle safety. This is why if you’ve noticed any of the above issues, it’s time to act. Get in touch with the service center at Moran Certified Pre-Owned in Chesterfield, MI, to make an appointment.

High gas prices are something we can’t ignore. Fortunately, the Moran service center can help cut your costs at the pump. Moran Certified Pre-Owned has three maintenance tasks to save you fuel and money. more Change the Oil One of the main jobs of oil is to keep the moving parts in the engine adequately lubricated. This is easy when oil is clean and fresh. When it gets older, however, it gets contaminated with debris. When this happens, it hampers lubrication, which causes the engine to have to work harder to produce power. The result is a drop in gas mileage. An oil change at our Moran service center helps engine performance and fuel efficiency as a result. Check the Pressure in Your Tires It may seem odd, but your tires have a big impact on fuel economy. When they are underinflated, this increases rolling resistance, which is something else that makes the engine exert more power than it should. Have the air pressure checked to make sure that it is at the correct level per the manufacturer’s specifications. Replace the Spark Plugs Spark plugs play an important role in your vehicle, as they help ensure that fuel combusts completely and efficiently. When plugs get old, they can no longer do this as well. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual because it could be time for a replacement. Schedule Your Service Appointment in Chesterfield, MI Have you had to stop to fill up more often than usual lately? Your car could be due for some service. Get in touch with Moran Certified Pre-Owned in Chesterfield, MI, to make an appointment to keep your car running efficiently.

Every winter, we get some rough weather in Michigan. Even though things have warmed up quite a bit, this doesn’t mean there aren’t lingering effects. For example, your car could still be showing troubling signs related to winter weather. Here Moran Certified Pre-Owned goes over the parts that get affected the most and why now is the time to contact the Moran service center to schedule an appointment. more Battery Sub-freezing weather can wreak havoc on many parts of your car, but the battery often feels it the most. If you had trouble – and perhaps still do – getting your vehicle started, this could be an indication that it’s time to get the battery replaced. This is especially true if it is five years old or older since age can affect battery health too. Tires Did you drive on a lot of salted roads last winter? While helpful for enhancing traction, this isn’t good for your tires, as this can increase wear. Plus, the chilly temperatures cause tire pressure to drop, which hurts fuel efficiency. During your Moran service visit, we can inspect tire wear and pressure to make sure your vehicle runs as it should. Fluids In extreme cold, the fluids in your car can get thicker. When this happens to the engine oil and transmission fluid, moving parts can’t get adequate lubrication, which causes the systems to have to work harder. We can check to make sure all your fluids are topped off and working properly after a long winter. Make Your Service Appointment at Moran Certified Pre-Owned While you may have shaken off the winter doldrums, you can’t forget about your car. If it is acting funny, it’s important to have it looked at. Get in touch with the service center at Moran Certified Pre-Owned, for an oil change, fluid flush, or anything else it needs.