October is Fall Car Care Month

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Leaf peeping is a great sport around this time of year and a wonderful tourist activity in the area. But, those beautiful burnished leaves do fall to the ground, the streets, roads and highways creating a driving hazard.
    Wet, slippery leaves can create potentially dangerous road conditions and make stopping difficult. They can also camouflage or obscure pot holes, curbs and street markers. So, with frost already making an appearance in Aroostook County, the possibility of a dicey, slick roadway increases each day. That’s why Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council, said it’s time to prepare for fall driving conditions and have your vehicle checked— especially during October which is Fall Car Care Month.
    According to Bruce Clark, of Clark’s Auto Sales on Bangor Rd. in Houlton, his customers are already stopping in and making appointments because they realize it’s time for a car checkup. “People are starting to come in to have us check the condition of their tires which is a big thing for winter and they want to make sure they have the appropriate wiper blades for the season.”
    Nowadays, there are several choices in design and material for wiper blades. Unlike the rubber ones our parents and grandparents probably used, there are silicone blades and a number of coated blades.
    Since rubber is more vulnerable to environmental factors such as sun, snow, salt and mud, they can become hard and brittle. Cutting-edge technology has propelled the lowly wiper into the 21st century with more durability than it had in the past. And, there are blades designed for year-round use or others designed primarily for winter weather.
    With the long, snowy winters in The County, a good technician can advise you on the appropriate type and size for your vehicle. Having a wiper that never seems to swipe a particular area of snow or ice off the windshield can be annoying, frustrating and hazardous as you watch a buildup of snow and ice that sticks to the windshield. Changing the length of a winter blade can sometimes be the answer since the curve of the blade may not match the curve of the windshield.
    Other things Clark said his customers are having him check are the battery and the charging system as well as the antifreeze, belts and the oil.
    With the shorter number of daylight hours, it’s also important to remember to have your mechanic fix any broken or burnt out bulbs since wipers and lights play a joint role in visibility. You want to make sure that you can see and that others can see you.
    With the increasingly colder nights, Aroostook County drivers have probably been using their heaters. But, if not, it’s a good idea to test the heater and the defroster because you don’t want to suddenly find out the motor is shot and the windshield won’t defrost.
    On a final note, no matter what the season, good brakes are essential. Since inclement weather increases the braking distance, worn brakes can only make a dangerous situation worse.
    With a vehicle often being a person’s second most expensive investment, it pays to make sure that it is ready for the colder weather and that it is up-to-date on any needed maintenance. You may want to celebrate Fall Car Care Month by checking in with your local car dealership or your favorite and trusted mechanic to make sure you’re ready to roll.