Continued:

Here’s a list recommend items to check or have performed before hitting the road for a fall trip:

1. Check car tires (check tread and pressure to help improve gas mileage)
2. Replace windshield wiper blades (summer heat can make the blades brittle and ineffective in rainy weather)
3. Fill washer fluid (it doesn’t hurt to keep an extra gallon of washer fluid in the trunk as winter weather starts creeping in)
4. Check engine coolant level (make sure the engine is cold before checking this one)
5. Check oil level and change if needed (use your exclusive GM Oil Life System to check your remaining oil life)

These items can be easily checked in your garage or driveway in less than 15 minutes before starting your trip. You can also take your vehicle into your local auto dealer or repair shop for a more thorough car inspection by a certified technician. These quick tips can save time, money and the hassle of having your fall trip ruined by a simple auto repair that could have been prevented.

Fall check-ups and vehicle repairs are especially important because most owners have subjected their vehicles to wear and tear through the peak summer driving months, and will soon be putting them through their paces in winter driving. Keeping your vehicle operating at its peak condition will also improve your fuel economy.

And if you do happen to hit the roads with a poorly maintained vehicle, the leaves may not be the only thing turning red out there.