Fall Car Maintenance Checklist: What To Know For The Autumn Season
How Do I Prepare My Car for the Fall?
With the impending crisp fall weather, the changing season means pumpkin carving, football season, back-to-school shopping, and making sure you’ve satisfied your fall car maintenance checklist. It means the time has come to take preventative measures to equip your car for the new conditions. Our outline for vehicle maintenance during the autumn season is here to help you prepare your vehicle as we move into the colder months.
It’s important to bring your car in for regular check-ups regardless of the season, but the start of fall presents unique challenges that require addressing. Specifically, the climate shifting from summer to winter could strain your car’s internal systems. Never fear, however, because our fall car maintenance checklist is a thorough guide to navigating the changing season and maintaining your car’s tip-top shape.
Why Is It Important to Prepare My Car for the Fall?
As summer concludes, motorists’ often-asked questions begin to appear: Should you wash your car in the fall? Is it really all that important to prep my car for the autumn when the winter will put it through more extreme conditions? What you might not realize is that the summer heat can potentially harm your vehicle, such as its tire tread, car battery, and cooling system.
Checking these components when the cooler weather hits will keep you on top of any major or minor repairs or inform you that your car needs an oil change before it gets even colder out. Keep in mind that getting your vehicle regularly washed is also important at this time of year so that your car doesn’t fall victim to sap, dead leaves, and other debris that can cause more damage later on.
Fall Car Maintenance Checklist
We recommend consistently checking how much time has passed between your last car tune-up and now. Once you’ve done this, here are further preventative measures drivers should take between the end of the summer and the beginning of winter:
Check Your Car’s Engine Oil & Coolant
Checking your car’s oil levels is one of the pillars of your fall car maintenance checklist. Most drivers understand the importance of keeping their engine running smoothly and avoiding engine wear and tear by lubricating it regularly. However, the summer months can take a more considerable toll on your oil and coolant levels due to increased evaporation, so we recommend getting your fluid levels checked at the beginning of the fall season.
Check Tire Pressure & Brakes
Tires need buoyancy and fullness for proper traction, a critical quality when driving through snow and ice. As the warmer months fade and the possibility of colder weather conditions approaches, it is a safety issue if you do not get your tire pressure and tread depth checked. Schedule service in Lexington, KY, to get a jump on this inspection today.
Check Your Car’s Lights
Fall means daylight savings and fewer hours of sunlight on the road. Your car’s lightbulb health becomes even more essential to inspect as part of your fall car maintenance checklist. Don’t skimp on vehicle maintenance when it comes to the technology that makes visibility possible. Visit our body shop in Lexington, KY today and ask to have your bulb checked for peace of mind.
Check the Heater Is Working
When commuting on cooler mornings or getting into your vehicle after it’s been parked outside for a while, the heater is the key to your comfort behind the wheel. All you need to do is turn on your heater and check to make sure that hot air is coming out. If it seems like it’s taking too long, you’ll want to get it inspected by a professional.
Preventative Vehicle Maintenance in Lexington, KY
If this checklist resonates with you, it’s time to bring your car in for a free body shop estimate. Getting a head start on maintaining the health of your car is one of the most significant ways to keep you and your passengers safe on the road ahead. Our in-house auto mechanics at Quantrell Collision Center are here to inspect your vehicle, determine what needs to be done, and execute efficiently so you can have a safe fall behind the wheel.