6 Easy Service Tips to Prepare Your Car for Fall

Sep 8, 2024

Since car care can be a little overwhelming, we’re bringing you six friendly service tip reminders with some great tips on maintenance checks for Autumn. September is a very busy time for family and friends, and it’s easy to fall behind on car maintenance as work resumes and kids go back to school. Why wait until the weather gets stormy, slippery, and you’re stuck in the lurch? Be sure to schedule an appointment at the service center now with your favorite mechanic, and ask them to check these areas as a starting point.

Service the Heating/Cooling System. As the temperatures in Autumn tend to fluctuate from mild heat waves during the day and dropping at night, it’s important you check your cooling system hoses, belts, and connections. Ensure that your AC Unit, Radiator, and other cooling system parts receive tune-ups before major issues arise. Switching back and forth between heating and cooling is normal for the first few weeks of autumn, so be sure everything receives proper maintenance.

Examine the Steering and Suspension. – Inclement weather conditions such as fog, rain, flash flooding, and even fallen debris from trees can lead a driver to stop short in an instant. Be sure that your steering and suspension have had a thorough inspection by your trusted mechanic. It is recommended you have an alignment now, before winter weather strikes, to ensure that you have accurate steering and suspension. Replace any worn or damaged parts immediately, don’t wait until slippery conditions cause an accident!

Ensure your car’s headlights and casings are clean, and replace dim or broken bulbs. Fall has ushered in the beautiful fall foliage, and also those gorgeously moody, foggy and misty mornings, and the waning evening sunlight. It’s important that you make sure you have bright, clear headlights to maintain road safety and reduce accidents.

Check Tire Pressure, Tires Health, and Tread Depth – There’s nothing more unpleasant than hydroplaning in a sunshower or catching a pile of fallen wet leaves while trying to stop short. Ensure that you can stop on a dime with properly inflated tires and reasonable tread depth. Switch out your summer tires for all-season or winter tires before the late autumn hits, to prevent accidents from improper road grip. Check your tire pressure and make sure the PSI matches the manufacturer requirements (can be located in your manual or on a label on the side door pockets or frame.) Look for signs of wear and tear such as bulges and bubbles, cracks or small tears, or significant tread wear leaving bald spots. Consider rotating your tires if you’ve not done it in a while.

Inspect wiper blades, windshield, and test the heating/defroster. As the weather gets colder and rainier, it’s vital to your safety that you have properly working wiper blades to clear away wet leaves and debris, and maintain clear visibility during inclement weather. It’s also important to check the defroster and heat blower functionality, as these two elements must be functioning properly to ensure wiper efficiency. Before it gets too cold out, consider applying a thorough application of a water-repellant such as RainX to the glass surfaces on your vehicle to aid in visibility during storms. Mid to Late Autumn temperature dips can also create some frosty temperatures at night. Ensure that your heat and defrost vents are free, clear, and functioning at optimal condition before cold weather hits!

Keep your car clear of debris by installing some all-weather floor mats and trunk mats. Fall weather means more time outdoors in nature, and with it comes all manner of dirt, grime, dust, and debris as well as those blustery, rainy days that bring mud and muck. Protect your car’s interiors and cut down on your cleaning maintenance with a good set of rubber/silicone floor mats!