Unless you live in a state where you enjoy comfortable weather throughout most of the year, you must consider how best to prepare your vehicle for inclement weather. Fall is a great time to check maintenance items, as the weather is more conducive to working on your car.
Here are some car care tips for getting your vehicle ready for the upcoming seasons.
Wear and Tear
You’ll need to decide whether to perform these items on your own or by a professional, but be sure not to overlook these important wear-and-tear items:
- Inspect the car’s battery capacity and terminal conditions.
- Check the tire pressure and inflate when necessary.
- Test the lights: headlights, fog lights, turn signals, brake lights, and interior lights.
- Ensure the heating system works properly.
- Consider the quality of the windshield wipers, and replace if necessary.
- Apply a multipurpose body and windshield protectant.
- Change the air filter.
Fluid Checks
Other things to keep in mind for fall include checking the levels of your car’s fluids, including coolant/antifreeze, motor oil, windshield wiper fluid, and brake fluid. If the fluids are cloudy or have debris in them, be sure to change them out, as explained by Car Talk. Consider the type of climate conditions your car will endure when choosing the best fluids, for instance, the right brand, formula, and grade. Consumer Reports also suggests monitoring levels and quality of power steering fluid and brake fluid. Make sure the engine is cooled for safe handling and more accurate readings.
Safe and Sound
As DMV.org explains, other safety and car care tips to consider are the items you need to have available in your trunk or glove box at all times:
- Flares
- Small blanket
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Jumper cables
It’s best not to assume these items have been checked during regularly scheduled visits like oil changes. Instead, use the beginning of a season to perform these semiannual maintenance tasks.
