Premier Diesel

Myth Buster Friday: a check engine light means pull over right now. Not quite. A steady light means get it scanned soon, and carefully driving it to the shop is usually fine. A flashing check engine light is a different story. That points to a misfire that can damage your catalytic converter, and it does mean stop driving. Steady, make an appointment. Flashing, call it in.

October is Fall Car Care Month, and the timing is not an accident. This is the last comfortable stretch before the weather turns. Battery, tires, brakes, wipers, lights, and fluids are the short list. We can go through all of it in a single visit. Stop in or book your next appointment today.

Trivia Wednesday: besides keeping coolant from freezing, what else does engine coolant do? A) Raises the boiling point and fights corrosion B) Cleans the engine oil C) Nothing else. Guess below.

Your heater and defroster run off the same cooling system as your engine. A weak heater, a slow defrost, or a sweet smell inside the cabin can all point back to a coolant problem. Much better to sort that out now than on the first frosty morning.

Mechanic Monday tip: check your tire pressure this week, and check it in the morning before you drive anywhere. Pressure reads lower when the tires are cold, and cold is exactly the condition you will be starting in every day from here. Correct pressure improves handling, braking, and fuel economy all at once.

Myth Buster Friday: if your brakes are not making noise, they must be fine. Not always. Many pads have a wear indicator that squeals near the end of their life, but plenty wear down quietly, and rotors, fluid, and calipers can all have problems that never make a sound. Pedal feel and stopping distance tell you more than noise does. When in doubt, have them measured.

Wiper blades wear out on a schedule you could almost mark on a calendar. Summer sun hardens the rubber, and by fall they streak, chatter, and smear at exactly the moment you need a clear view. If yours are leaving lines across the glass, swapping them takes a couple of minutes.

Trivia Wednesday: how long does a typical car battery last in most climates? A) One to two years B) Three to five years C) Ten years or more. Drop your answer below.

First day of fall. Shorter days, wet leaves, deer on the move at dusk, and fog on the glass in the morning. It is a good week to look at your wipers, your washer fluid, your tire tread, and every light on the vehicle. All four matter more from here on out than they did in July.

Mechanic Monday tip: fall starts tomorrow, which means cooler mornings and a battery that has to work harder to do the same job. Heat is what damages a battery, but cold is what exposes the damage. If yours cranked slowly even once this summer, get it tested now rather than during the first cold snap.