VROOM

2020 FALL
car Care
GUIDE
Friday, October 16, 2020  www.cadillacnews.com  cadillac news | Trusted. Local. Connected V1

Fall Maintenance Checklist

Fall is an essential time
to prepare your
vehicle for the
upcoming cold winter
months. Whether you
are preparing to store
your vehicle or prep it
for winter, here’s a
checklist to follow from
CarCare.org.
Car Care Checklist
The Car Care Council, a non-profit
organization dedicated to educating
motorists about the importance of
regular vehicle care, shares a fall car
care checklist to help drivers prepare
their vehicles for the winter months.
Check all fluids, including engine
oil, power steering, brake and trans-
mission fluid. Antifreeze and wind-
shield washer fluid levels should all
be checked before winter months.
© adobe stock
These levels should be checked every
time you change your engine oil.
Check hoses and belts to make sure
they are not cracked or have any dam- can create starting issues with older months. Take your vehicle to the me- er a fun sight to see when starting
age to them. Car Care recommends batteries. chanic if you are experiencing any your vehicle. A number of codes and
changing any lightly damaged hoses Having a local auto care technician interior or exterior lighting prob- alerts can trigger your engine light
as cold months can create more dam- check the brake system annually lems. to turn on. Take the time during the
age. Damaged hoses can create major will keep you from having any break- Check for damage on your wipers, fall season to troubleshoot the engine
problems for your engine if not tak- downs during the winter months and and replace wipers if you see any maintenance light. You want to avoid
en care of properly. save you trips to the mechanic. tears or missing parts. You can pur- any kind of breakdown or damage
Your battery should be checked and Check your engine to make sure chase wipers at any of your local to your vehicle during the winter
replaced if necessary. Make sure all your vehicle is performing well and auto parts centers. Most parts cen- months.
connections to your battery are clean has the best balance of power, fuel ters will even install purchased wip- Take your vehicle to your local deal-
and not damaged. Batteries last up to economy and low levels of emissions. ers free of charge. ership or mechanic to troubleshoot
Vehicle lighting should be checked and address the reason for the engine
three years and should be changed af-
ter exceeding that time. Cold weather during the fall season, as it gets dark
Maintenance light maintenance light.
An engine maintenance light is nev-
earlier during the fall and winter

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2 VROOM - Fall Car Care 
Battery Basics
Batteries are an essential part of your vehicle
and can cause some issues if not fixed before
the winter months roll in. Here are some tips
to help you check your battery and keep it
lasting through the winter.
Battery Maintenance
Batteries lose power over time. The
longer you have had your battery,
the more inclined you should be to
check it. Check all the cables con-
necting your battery to the vehicle
for damage or corrosion. Battery ca-
bles should fit tight on the battery. If
there is corrosion making your bat-
tery cables loose, use a wired brush
to clean off the corrosion.
Vehicle batteries usually last around
three years. Check to see how long
you have had your battery in your
vehicle. Most local parts stores can
test your battery’s charge for free.
Replace the battery at your local auto
care store if it exceeds three years
and is showing signs of degrading.
Cables, connectors and other parts
Storing your Vehicle
If you have a summer car or vehicle that you store
during the winter, be sure that you properly prep the
vehicle for long-term storage.
There are a number of steps and precautions you
should take to ensure the vehicle’s condition does
not lessen while in storage.
Storing Options
There are different steps to take depending on
whether you have a garage or not. Keeping your
vehicle sheltered during the winter months is one
of the most important precautions to prevent de-
clines in performance and looks.
A garage is the ideal place to store your vehicle to
protect it from the harsh elements of winter. If you
do not have a garage, there are a couple of options.
Consider investing in a storage facility. There are
some that keep storage units air conditioned. The
most important thing is that you keep your vehicle
clean and dry.
How to effectively and safely sanitize a car
The COVID-19 pandemic
changed the way people live.
One readily felt effect was
spending more time at home.
Vehicles sat idle in drive-
ways and even some automo-
tive insurance providers re-
duced rates because people
were driving much less.
Even with stay-at-home
measures in place, people
still need to leave their
homes to stock up on essen-
tials, such as food or medi-
cine. In other cases, people
may have been essential
workers who drive for a living, including delivery driv-
ers or health care personnel who were incapable of
working from home.
Any time a person goes out in public, he or she runs
the risk of contracting viruses. Bacteria and germs may
reside on various surfaces, including those inside vehi-
cles.
People want to protect themselves and now are more
aware of the importance of frequently cleaning and san-
itizing their cars. Keeping a vehicle safe to drive with-
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cadillac news | Friday, October 16, 2020
for your battery can all be found and
replaced at your local parts store.
Invest in a portable battery charger
that you can place in the trunk of
your vehicle in case of emergencies.
Keeping your charge
Batteries can lose their charge if
your vehicle is stored or parked for
too long. If you store your vehicle for
an extended time during the fall and
winter seasons, you might consider
purchasing a trickle charger. The de-
vice connects your battery to a wall
outlet and gives your car enough © adobe stock
power so that it does not lose charge.
Trickle chargers can be found in keep not only your battery but the day is to disconnect the negative
most local parts stores. rest of your vehicle and engine run- cable from your battery only. Doing
A less expensive way to keep the ning smoothly. so does have its cons. You will more
charge in your battery is to have One other low-tech option you may than likely lose time, stereo and oth-
someone drive your vehicle for about have if you cannot find someone to er settings.
15 minutes or more a day. This helps help run your vehicle for you every-
If a unit is out of the question, you can purchase
an all-weather cover to put over your vehicle to
help you keep your vehicle clean and dry through-
out the year. Note that these covers do take dam-
age over time and will need to be replaced from
time to time.
© adobe stock
Storage Prep that can cause damage to the engine.
Fill the tank before storing your vehicle for more
Before you store your vehicle, there are measures
than 30 days. Filling your gas tank will prevent
that need to be taken to ensure quality in your ve-
your vehicle from accumulating moisture in the
hicle. Here are some tips for prepping your vehicle.
fuel tank.
Water damage, bird droppings and tree sap can
Tires can lose pressure over time by developing
cause paint damage to your vehicle. Cleaning and
flat spots.
detailing your vehicle is an easy step to take to
Check the tire pressure every month while in
keep your car looking good and fresh.
storage to make sure the vehicle does not develop
If you are storing your car for an extended period
these flat spots. Take off the tires and rest the ve-
longer than 30 days, consider changing the oil in
hicle on jacks if it will be in storage for more than
your vehicle. Engine oil contains contaminants
30 days.
out affecting its upholstery or electronic components is stery, according to Consumer Reports.
paramount. • Use soap and water: Experts say that vigor-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ous washing with a soap-and-water solution can be ef-
makes a distinction between cleaning and disinfecting. fective against many contaminants because it breaks
Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt and impu- down the protective envelope that surrounds coronavi-
rities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but can lower ruses and other germs to disarm them. Friction also can
their numbers. Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to help to break down germ cells during cleaning.
kill germs on surfaces. The following are some ways to “You want to do the best with what you have, so even
deeply clean and sanitize a car. soap and water can chip away at the risk,” says Stephen
• Wash hands. First and foremost, it is crucial to Thomas, M.D., Chief of Infectious Diseases and Direc-
wash your hands before and after using the car. This can tor of Global Health at Upstate Medical University in
reduce the likelihood of growing ill because of trans- Syracuse, NY.
ferred viruses or bacteria. • Address frequently touched surfac-
• Use rubbing alcohol. Solutions that contain es. Pay attention to the steering wheel, door handles,
70 percent alcohol are effective against many viruses buttons, touchscreen displays, shift lever, and more
and bacteria, including coronaviruses, says the CDC. when sanitizing. Each of these items can harbor germs.
Furthermore, Jeff Stout, Executive Director of Global Deep-cleaning a vehicle has become a necessity since
Innovation at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, says that, COVID-19 emerged. Frequently cleaning and sanitizing
for the most part, nearly every interior surface of a ve- can help make vehicles safer to operate.
hicle can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol. Plastic to
painted chrome to imitation leather have been tested to
ensure they don’t degrade when exposed to pure isopro-
fall tire special
pyl alcohol.
• Avoid bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
While bleach and peroxide are very effective cleaners
and sanitizers, they are likely to damage a car’s uphol-
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Friday, October 16, 2020 | cadillac news VROOM - Fall Car Care
Vehicle Cleanliness
Your goal should be to vacuum and wash your
vehicle at least one to two times per month.
If this isn’t possible with your
schedule and day-to-day life, here are
some tips that can help you maintain
a clean car.
Clean and Declutter
Rolling cups and piling trash can
be distracting and hazardous if they
find their way near your gas or brake
pedal. Place all your trash in a small
trash can or plastic bag. Having one
place where everyone who rides in
your car can place their trash will
help you keep your car clean with
minimal effort.
If you have a busy schedule, take the
few minutes you have while pumping
gas to empty the trash can, cups and
any other waste that may be in your
vehicle.
The floor of your vehicle may al-
ways remain the messiest part of
your car. Buying all-weather mats
that you can easily slide out and
shake off will help you make fewer
trips to vacuum.
Be prepared for emergencies
Vehicle breakdowns
during the winter are more
dangerous due to weather
conditions.
Take the fall season to prepare a number of items
that can help you during breakdowns.
Emergency Essentials
Drivers should keep equipment in their vehicle in
case of emergency or vehicle breakdown. The Na-
tional Safety Council shares a list of some emer-
gency essentials you can store in your vehicle.
Jumper cables are a necessity to have in your
vehicle because a dead battery will happen with-
out warning. Batteries lose charge over time and
sometimes have trouble starting in cold weather.
Be prepared with jumper cables in case you need
help charging your vehicle.
Flat tires can also strike without any warning
and can be a dangerous breakdown during the
winter months. Check your tires during the fall
and replace them if necessary.
Most vehicles come with an emergency tire, but
they are only good for 30 to 50 miles. Instead, buy
an extra all-weather tire in case of a flat occurs.
The investment will be well worth it if you ever
find yourself stranded.
A first aid kit is another emergency essential that
many people do not think to have in their vehicle.
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Car cup holders can get pretty messy
from time to time. The bottom of
your cups can create a sludge build-
up that can stain seats and clothes if
you aren’t careful. Throw away cups
and small trash you may throw in
the cup holders to keep from creating
cup holder sludge.
Take Advantage
of Space
One of the most overlooked spaces
for storage in your vehicle is your
glove box. If utilized correctly, your
glove box can be filled with various
items that can help keep you, your
car and passengers clean.
For most drivers, your glove box © adobe stock
contains an owner’s manual and pa-
pers relating to the vehicle. It can be wipes, cotton swabs, a phone charger should contain items that can help
one of the most forgotten storage ar- and other items. Keeping extra plas- you during an emergency situation.
eas in your vehicle. Throw auto wet tic bags to use as your vehicle trash Keep items like a portable car bat-
wipes inside for wiping up spills. can is another way to take advantage tery charger, spare clothing such as
You can take it a step further and of the space in the glove box. a heavy jacket or rain coat and rain
purchase a small storage bag to Another space that is not always ful- boots, in case you find yourself in an
fill with various items such as wet ly utilized is your trunk. Your trunk emergency situation.
© adobe stock
First aid kits should come with gauze, tape, ban-
dages, antibiotic ointment and more. First aid kits
Emergency Kit
Along with emergency essentials, drivers should
can come in handy if you ever cut yourself while
prepare an emergency kit to keep in their vehicle.
changing a tire or if a collision occurs.
This emergency kit should contain a variety of
products. Here are some items that you can keep
in your emergency kit.
Gondek’s Body & Frame Be prepared to change tires or inspect a break-
down in the rain by keeping rain poncho and rain
• Foreign & Domestic Auto Repair boots in your emergency kit. Purchase a poncho
• Glass Work & Truck Accessories with reflective colors at your local auto parts store.
Breakdowns can happen at any hour. Pack a flash-
We take the dents out of accidents! light and extra batteries in your emergency kit in
case you ever experience a breakdown at night.
You need to be able to see what you are doing.
Phone lights aren’t enough, and you want to pre-
Spray-In LInerS serve your phone battery for as long as you can.
Pack drinking water and non-perishable snacks
in your emergency kit in case you ever have to wait
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4 VROOM - Fall Car Care 
Winter or All-Weather Tires
The decision between winter tires and all-weather tires can
be a tough one to make.
Winter tires are an expensive investment but
one that can prevent issues for you and your fam-
ily during the winter months. All-weather tires
are an all-around good tire that may be the bet-
ter choice depending on where you live. Here are
some tips and insight on both tires.
Winter Tires
If you live in an area prone to heavy snow, slush
or ice, invest in winter tires. Winter tires are dif-
ferent that your standard tire. They contain a soft-
er rubber compound to enhance grip. Winter tires
are an investment. A complete set can cost up to
$1,000 but they can be the difference between life
and death.
Winter tires give you more control in your ve-
hicle to push through the snowy winter weather.
All-weather tires contain the same traction as
half-worn winter tires. If you live in an area see-
ing harsh winter weather, winter tires are the
What maintenance schedule does my car need?
Vehicle maintenance schedules vary depending on
manufacturer recommendations. In addition, the way
a car is driven and the environment it’s driven in can
dictate if routine maintenance like oil changes needs to
occur more frequently or if belts and hoses need to be
replaced sooner than manufacturers recommend.
Many people drive in ways that align with routine
maintenance schedules. However, drivers who put ex-
cessive wear and tear on their vehicles may have to fol-
low a “severe” maintenance schedule. According to the
automotive information site Car Gurus, many manu-
facturers adhere to a 30-60-90 schedule, meaning certain
items need to be inspected, changed or replaced at 30,000,
60,000 and 90,000 miles. Certain vehicle parts wear out at
predictable intervals, while others, such as rubber gas-
kets, windshield washer blades and tires, will degrade at
irregular intervals.
It is generally recommended to speak with a mechanic
and discuss driving habits to ensure vehicles operate
efficiently and at peak capacity. The following are some
conditions that may necessitate frequent maintenance.
• Urban driving: Stop-and-go traffic in an urban set-
ting can wear cars out more quickly than highway driv-
MOTORMOUTH-Q&A
By Bob Weber, Tribune News Service
(TNS)
Q: I have a 2002 Buick Century Limited in excellent
condition. I literally bought it two years ago from
a little old lady who had only driven it 11,000 miles. It,
however, has a vexing problem. The power windows
only work occasionally. The rear ones will not go down,
the passenger side window usually does, and the driver’s
window only seems to work when the temperature is 65
degrees or cooler outside. I replaced the arm rest switch
panel and checked the fuses, but the same problem has
persisted. Any ideas? - L.L., Beecher, Ill.
A: The problem may not be in the electrical system,
at least not in the switches. Due to lack of use,
the window lift mechanism (the regulator) may require
more oomph than the motors can supply. When that
happens, the motors can overheat and fail. Perhaps the
motors are already damaged. If the motors demand too
much current, circuit breakers open. In many cases, the
circuit breakers will reset after resting a while as things
cool.
Q: We’ve had lots of car thefts in our area lately, and
we saw a magazine article that said keyless entry
fobs can be hacked or compromised by crooks in pairs
using a fairly simple device to pick up the signal from
your fob while you’re away from your car and then re-
laying it to their buddy who’s standing next to your car,
allowing that person to unlock the door. Does this mean
keyless entry fobs are always transmitting a signal? The
magazine article recommended buying a Faraday Cage/
RFID blocking pouch to keep your fob in. Any thoughts
or opinions? - P.B., Hudson, Wisc.
A: There are memes about bad guys using signal
amplifiers to intercept the signal from your smart
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cadillac news | Friday, October 16, 2020
right investment to make. If taken care of prop-
erly, they can last up to six years.
Note that winter tires are seasonal tires and do
sell out at some tire stores. It is best to shop ahead
of time and be prepared before winter rolls in,
and ensure the you have more options in price,
brand and quality.
All-Weather Tires
If you live in an area with light to little snowy
weather during the winter season, your best op-
tion would be to invest in all-weather tires. These
tires are a less expensive option for your vehicle. © adobe stock
All-weather tires, as the name suggest, can be All-weather tires are convenient and versatile in-
used throughout the year. They are durable and vestment for your vehicle.
possess tread that helps them perform in wet and If you use all-weather tires throughout the year,
dry conditions. check the quality of your tire each month. Make
All-weather tires can stay on your car at all sure you check tread, traction and wear on the
times, saving you from having to make trips to tire. It is best to start searching and replacing
the tire shop to change into your seasonal tires. your tires in early fall before winter begins.
ing. Experts say lubricants found in motor oil break
down rapidly under these and other conditions, includ-
ing especially hot temperatures.
• Short trips: Frequent, short trips can take a toll on
a vehicle. Again, this may be a problem for those who re-
side in cities or bustling suburbs. Short trips of no more
than five miles can contribute to an accumulation of wa-
ter vapor that dilutes motor oil and adversely affects its
efficacy.
• Heavy loads: Advanced Auto Parts says transport-
ing or towing heavy loads can put more wear and tear on
a vehicle. Loads can include cargo or passengers.
• Dusty or salty environments: Dust can accumu-
late in air filters and clog internal engine components.
Similarly, living close to the coast and salt water also can
cause car parts to rust or degrade quickly.
• Extreme temperature conditions: People who ditions, switching to a severe maintenance schedule
reside in extremely cold or extremely hot climates may with the guidance of an automotive service shop can
find that their vehicles have to work that much harder help. The added cost of more frequent fluid changes and
to operate, reducing the life span of automotive fluids, other maintenance can be recuperated by fewer break-
parts (especially car batteries) and the overall vehicle downs and the reduced need for potentially costly re-
unless action is taken. pairs.
For those who frequently encounter these severe con-
key fob to unlock your car and stealing your stuff. Keep
your good stuff out of sight. There is a low energy signal
continuously emitted. I do not think this is a major prob-
A:
Caddy dealers have very sophisticated testing
equipment and in the hands of a well-trained
technician it can provide a ton of information. Stuff
lem, but if you are the kind of guy who wears a tin foil
hat, you may want to get a Faraday pouch in which to
store your fob, (and perhaps a hat, too). It is essentially a
like short term and long term fuel trim. Yeah, it is rocket
science. Systems can be observed in real time as well as
report older data. Not every problem sets a trouble code,
metal mesh fabric that blocks electrical signals. only those that have something to do with emissions. Of
course, that covers a lot of ground. If you dealer doesn’t
Q: I recently purchased a 2020 Chevy Colorado pick- have techs with up-to-date training, seek another dealer.
up truck. This is the first vehicle I have owned
that came with no gas filler cap. As I live on the east coast
of Florida where we have hurricanes and rainy seasons, Q:
My Toyota Camry Solara convertible has 72,316
miles on it and I’m concerned about when I
I am concerned about getting moisture in the fuel tank. should replace the timing belt. I’ve been told in the past
The owner’s manual does not cover this concern. Do I that the belt probably won’t last for much longer than
need to worry about this? - J.R., Pembroke Pines, Fla. 72,000 mile and if it breaks, it will cause severe (expen-
sive) damage. What are your thoughts on this? - B.M.,
A: No. It makes a positive seal. It must in order to Wilmington, Mass.
prevent fuel vapors from escaping and causing
air pollution. We frankly see more check engine lights
triggered by bad gas caps than the capless system. A:
The four-cylinder engines have timing chains
and the V-6s have belts, so it depends on your
engine. For belts, we suggest replacement sometime
Q: During the winter months I see a lot of cars between 75,000 and 100,000 miles. It should be stated in
parked all day long with the windshield wipers your owner’s manual, if you can find it.
locked in a position up off the windshields. Does this
stretch the very springs we rely on to hold the wipers ABOUT THE WRITER
against the windshield, or doesn’t it have any real effect Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an
on those springs? - M.A., Eden Prairie, Minn. ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He
A: It has no real effect. The springs return to rest. maintains this status by seeking certification every five
They only stretch between the two points. years. Weber’s work appears in professional trade maga-
zines and other consumer publications. His writing also
Q: I own a 2006 Cadillac DTS with the Northstar appears in automotive trade publications, Consumer
V-8 and 98,000 miles. The vehicle runs exception- Guide and Consumers Digest.
ally well and the engine has only been serviced by the
Cadillac dealer. The vehicle has begun to cut off while Send questions along with name and town to motor-
in drive with no warning and no check engine light. It mouth.tribune@gmail.com.
starts back up and runs perfectly for weeks or months. A
mechanic did a diagnostic test but there were no code er- ©2020 Chicago Tribune
rors. What systems should I investigate? - A.T., Chicago Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
CuhtoeRte’z
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