Summer driving can put plenty of miles and wear on your GMC. Between daily commutes around Erie, weekend trips across Pennsylvania and longer drives during the warmer months, your vehicle has likely handled its share of road time.

As summer gives way to fall, changing temperatures and increasingly wet roads can create different driving conditions. Before freezing temperatures and winter weather arrive, fall is a good time to make sure your GMC is ready for the months ahead.

You don't have to wait for a warning light, unusual noise or difficult start before having your vehicle inspected. Routine maintenance can help identify worn components and developing problems while they're still easier to address.

At Rick Weaver GMC, owners can find routine maintenance and repair services, including oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, battery service and multi-point vehicle inspections.

Before fall driving gets underway, here are seven areas worth checking on your GMC.

1. Check Your GMC's Oil and Oil Filter

Engine oil plays an important role in keeping your GMC's engine running smoothly. It lubricates moving components, helps manage heat and helps carry contaminants away from critical engine parts.

Your GMC's recommended oil-change interval depends on the vehicle, engine, driving conditions and maintenance schedule. Many newer GMC vehicles use an Oil Life System to help determine when an oil change is needed, so you shouldn't automatically rely on a universal mileage interval.

If you're not sure when your last oil change was performed, check your maintenance records or your vehicle's oil-life information. Fall can be a convenient time to catch up on an overdue oil change before colder weather arrives.

During an oil-change visit, technicians can also look for other maintenance needs that may be approaching.

2. Inspect Your Tires and Wheel Alignment

Your tires are your GMC's only direct point of contact with the road, making their condition important for handling, braking and traction.

Before fall driving picks up, look for:

•      Uneven tread wear
•      Low tire pressure
•      Cracks, bulges or other visible damage
•      Excessive vibration
•      Your GMC pulling to one side

Erie drivers can encounter plenty of rain and changing road conditions during the transition from summer into fall. As temperatures continue to fall, maintaining proper tire pressure and adequate tread becomes even more important.

If your GMC pulls to one side, the steering wheel isn't centered while driving straight or the tires are wearing unevenly, an alignment inspection may be worthwhile. Tire rotations performed according to your GMC's maintenance schedule can also help promote more even tread wear.

And if you're approaching winter with tires that have limited tread remaining, fall is a good time to determine whether they should be replaced before snow and ice become a factor.

3. Have Your GMC's Brakes Inspected

Your brakes work every time you slow down in traffic, stop at an intersection or navigate changing road conditions. Brake components naturally wear over time, and problems can become more noticeable as conditions change.

Watch for signs such as:

•      Squealing or grinding noises
•      Vibration or pulsation while braking
•      A soft or unusual brake-pedal feel
•      Increased stopping distance
•      Pulling to one side while braking

Even if your GMC isn't showing obvious symptoms, a brake inspection can help identify worn brake pads, rotors, brake lines or other components.

This is especially worth considering before the colder months. Wet, snowy or icy roads can already make stopping more difficult, so having a properly maintained braking system is important when road conditions deteriorate.

Rick Weaver GMC's service department offers brake inspections as part of its maintenance services.

4. Test Your GMC's Battery and Charging System

A battery that performs normally during summer may struggle when temperatures drop.

Cold weather can make it harder for an aging battery to provide the power needed to start your GMC. If your vehicle has already been slow to start, requires a jump-start or experienced unusual electrical behavior, those are good reasons to have the battery checked before winter.

A battery test can help determine its current condition and ability to hold a charge. A charging-system inspection can also help identify potential problems with the components responsible for maintaining the battery charge.

Rick Weaver GMC's multi-point vehicle inspection includes a battery condition and connection check, making a seasonal inspection a convenient opportunity to see where your battery stands.

5. Review Your GMC's Fluids, Filters and Wipers

Engine oil isn't the only maintenance item worth checking before fall.

Depending on your GMC model and maintenance schedule, technicians may inspect fluids associated with the brakes, cooling system, transmission, and other vehicle systems. Maintaining the appropriate fluid levels and condition can help support proper operation as temperatures change.

Your filters also deserve attention. The engine air filter helps keep contaminants from entering the engine, while the cabin air filter helps filter the air entering the passenger compartment.

And don't overlook your windshield wipers.

Fall can bring more rain and reduced visibility, making worn wiper blades a nuisance at best and a safety concern at worst. Rick Weaver GMC's multi-point inspection includes checking wiper blades and glass condition, as well as fluid levels.

Rather than assuming every GMC needs the same fluid or filter service at the same mileage, use your vehicle's specific maintenance schedule to determine what needs to be inspected or replaced.

6. Don't Overlook Your GMC's 4WD, AWD or Drivetrain

Not every GMC is equipped with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but if yours is, its drivetrain should be included in your maintenance plan.

Depending on the model and configuration, your GMC may use a 4WD or AWD system with additional drivetrain components that help distribute power and provide traction when road conditions become challenging.

GMC models can have different drivetrain configurations, so the maintenance requirements for a Sierra, Yukon, Acadia, Terrain or another GMC vehicle may not be the same.

If your GMC is equipped with 4WD and you've noticed difficulty engaging the system, unusual noises or vibrations, have it inspected rather than assuming the problem will go away. For AWD-equipped vehicles, changes in handling or unusual drivetrain noises can also warrant an inspection.

Because drivetrain maintenance varies by model, year and configuration, your GMC's owner information and recommended maintenance schedule should determine what service is required.

7. Get a Multi-Point Inspection Before Winter Arrives

Some vehicle problems don't produce an obvious warning light.

A multi-point inspection gives technicians an opportunity to examine several important systems and identify developing maintenance needs. Depending on the inspection, this can include tires, wipers, fluid levels, brakes, battery condition, lights and other vehicle components.

For Erie drivers, getting this inspection before winter can be particularly useful. Instead of discovering a worn tire, weak battery or brake issue after the first major weather change, you can address potential problems while there's still time to prepare.

Rick Weaver GMC's multi-point vehicle inspection covers areas including tires, wipers and glass, fluid levels, brakes, battery condition and connections, as well as additional vehicle components.

Keep Your GMC Ready for Erie Roads

Fall is a convenient reminder to review your GMC's condition, but vehicle maintenance shouldn't be limited to one season.

Regular service can help support your GMC's reliability, performance and safety throughout the year. Whether your vehicle needs an oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, battery test, fluid service or a more involved repair, addressing maintenance early can help prevent smaller problems from becoming larger ones.

For drivers searching for GMC service in Erie, Rick Weaver GMC's service center provides maintenance and repairs for GMC vehicles. The service department handles maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations and brake inspections, along with other repair needs.

Whether you're preparing for your first fall commute, planning a Pennsylvania road trip or simply can't remember the last time your GMC received a thorough inspection, fall is a good opportunity to schedule service and make sure your vehicle is ready for the season ahead.