Now that the beach umbrellas and lawn chars are put away, it’s time to think about prepping your car for the harsher conditions to come. Autumn brings more volatile weather, leaf-covered roads, and for some, the first snows of the coming winter season. October is Fall Car Care Month and the ideal time to give your vehicle a fall fitness checkup.

Here are a few car care tips to get you ready for fall…

Check Your Tires

The quality and condition of your tires are critical to road traction and safety. When autumn leaves fall, they coat the pavement and roadways, often creating an oily residue that that can increase your risk for skids and spinouts. Be sure your tires are properly inflated and that the tread is sound. (A quick way to test your tread is to insert a penny headfirst into several grooves of each tire’s treads. If you can still see all of Lincoln’s head, the treads are too shallow and your tires need replacement.) Uneven tread wear can also be a sign that you’re due for an alignment.

Check Your Fluids

Your car or truck relies on essential fluids to operate at its best. A check of your antifreeze/coolant, engine oil, and transmission and brake fluid levels can tell you if it’s time to top off or replace your fluids. Most vehicles require a coolant flush and replacement every 3000 miles or so for optimal performance (check your owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations). Also, brake and transmission fluids can degrade with use over time. Road grit and overheating can cause a loss of viscosity, which can compromise fluid performance, so get your fluids checked before rough weather and low temperatures arrive.

Check Your Battery

As car batteries age, they can struggle to hold a charge, and cold weather can quickly drain a weak or failing battery. To avoid waking up to a dead battery on a cold morning, have your battery checked and replaced if necessary.

Check Your Brakes

In challenging driving conditions, your vehicle’s brakes are often your only safeguard against an accident. Be sure your brakes are able to respond quickly in the event of an emergency stop or slippery road service. Your mechanic can gauge the wear to your brake pads and tell you if they’re in need of replacement.

Check Your Heater/Defrost System

The last thing any driver needs is to have their vehicle’s heat or defroster quit during bad weather conditions. Have your car or truck’s heater and defrost system checked before that harsh weather sets in.

Check Your Wipers and Lights

In rough weather, your windshield wipers can quite literally be a lifesaver, but worn or damaged wiper blades can cause streaking or blurring. Wiper blade replacement is an inexpensive fix that pays big dividends in safety. Similarly, be sure that your headlights (both high and low beams), hazards, and signals lights all work properly. In the event of an accident, you don’t want to be held liable because of a failed turn signal bulb that would have cost just a few dollars to replace.

Check Your Exhaust System

A worn, damaged, or faulty exhaust system can rob your vehicle of fuel economy or even cause a roadside breakdown. And a leaky exhaust can expose you and your passengers to toxic fumes. Be sure to have an experienced mechanic have a look at your exhaust before the start of winter driving season.

At Main Line Transmissions, your safety is important to us. That’s why we encourage you to get your vehicle checked before cold temps and poor driving conditions make driving a challenge. Proper vehicle maintenance is vital to driver safety. So let our experienced and professional technicians give your vehicle a complete fall checkup today!