January Vehicle Maintenance Tips

January 2, 2026

January Vehicle Maintenance Tips

We’re at the start of another new year - how is your vehicle driving?

Regular maintenance helps ensure that your vehicle stays at its best performance possible, allowing you to drive it for a long time. Winter can present obstacles, so let’s take a look at what you can be doing this month to better care for your vehicle…


Winter is the harshest season for vehicles, so preparing for the cold, snow, and icy weather conditions can help keep you safe on the roads.

  • Alignment - Misalignment of your vehicle can make it harder to control, create fuel inefficiency, and uneven tire wear. The beginning of a new year is a great time to make sure your tires are aligned as they should be.
  • Battery - Cold weather is hard on vehicle batteries. To prevent issues or surprises when you go to start your vehicle, have your battery tested by your trusted mechanic to make sure that it’s holding a charge.
  • Brakes - Winter conditions can be harsh on your brakes, especially when you’re trying to stop on snow and ice. Have them inspected to keep you - and others - as safe as possible on the road.
  • Fluids - Fluid levels are important year-round, but especially in the winter. Check and top-off your coolant, windshield washer fluid (with de-icer if possible!), and oil.
  • Lighting - With shorter daylight hours, you’ll be driving in the dark more. Be sure to inspect and replace all exterior lights if necessary.
  • Tires - If the tire pressure isn’t right, they will be unsafe for driving in harsh winter conditions. Regularly check pressure (especially during drops in temperature), inspect tread for wear, and consider winter tires for better grip.
  • Wipers & Defroster - Ensure great visibility at all times. Replace worn wiper blades and make sure the defroster works to keep things clear and to keep you safe.


Additional Tips:
  • Emergency Kit - Plan ahead and make sure you’re prepared for an emergency!
  • Wash & Protect - Keep your vehicle free from salt to help prevent rust.


While winter weather can be harsh on your vehicle, the most important thing is to keep you, your passengers, and others on the road safe. Ensuring you’re staying up to date with regular routine inspections and giving your vehicle a little extra care during the winter months will allow you to feel confident in your ability to do so.

If you’d like extra support during this process of getting - and keeping - your vehicle winter-ready, please reach out to us at Olson Auto Repairs!
January Vehicle Maintenance Tips
By 7130681096 May 28, 2025
A customer came into the shop with a car making some pretty loud noises from the front wheels. They mentioned it had been squeaking and grinding for a while, but they figured it was nothing urgent... Once we pulled the wheels off, the issue was clear. The brake pads were completely worn away. All that was left was bare metal pressing directly against the rotor. It was causing damage with every stop—and seriously affecting the car’s ability to slow down safely. Thankfully, we caught it before anything worse happened. Brake Wear Sneaks Up Over Time Most people don’t realize how gradually brakes wear down. One day there’s a light squeak, then a little vibration when stopping. Eventually, you get used to the feeling, and it’s easy to ignore—until stopping takes longer or you hear something that clearly doesn’t sound right. This customer was lucky. But it was a good reminder for all of us that brakes don’t fail all at once. They slowly lose performance—and by the time it feels serious, there might already be damage to other components like your calipers. We’re Big on Preventative Care At Olson Auto Repairs, we’re not just here to fix problems after they happen. We’re here to help you avoid surprises and feel safe behind the wheel. That’s why we recommend a brake check at least twice a year, or whenever you feel something unusual. Our team makes it easy. Whether it’s a quick brake check, fluid inspection, or full system look-over, we’ll show you exactly what we see. No pressure. No guessing. Just clear answers and honest advice. You can see pricing and services anytime at olsonautorepairs.com Schedule a Brake Inspection Anytime If your brakes haven’t been checked recently—or if you’ve noticed anything off—it’s always better to get ahead of it. Your brakes are your first line of defense on the road, and we’re here to help you keep them working like they should. Book your next brake check today at olsonautorepairs.com We’ll help you stop with confidence—every time.