Fall Car Care Month – A Maintenance Checklist

As the leaves begin to change color and the weather starts to cool down, now is the time to start thinking about Fall car care. You wouldn’t want to take a long road trip without making sure your vehicle is in good working order, so why would you head into the colder months without making sure your car is in optimal condition?

To help, we’ve compiled a comprehensive maintenance checklist for Fall.

• Inspect Tires: One of the most important things on our Fall car care checklist is to check your tires. Colder weather can cause tire pressure to decrease, so it’s important to check your tire pressure regularly and fill them to your vehicle's specifications as needed. You should also check the tread depth and condition of your tires. If the tread is shallow or if you see any cracks or bald spots, it’s time for new tires. 

• Test Car Battery Voltage: As temperatures start to dip, it’s also a good idea to test your car battery voltage. A weak battery can cause a variety of problems, from dim headlights to ignition to slow cranking of the engine. If you need a new battery, it’s best to replace it before the cold weather hits.

• Check Belts and Hoses: Next on our checklist is to inspect your vehicle's belts and hoses. These components are essential for keeping your engine coolant circulating properly. If a belt or hose fails, it can cause your engine to overheat – which is definitely something you want to avoid in the colder months.

• Ensure Fluids are Clean and Filled: It’s also important to make sure all your fluids are clean and filled during Fall car care month. This includes everything from oil and transmission fluid to power steering fluid and windshield wiper fluid. Dirty or low fluids can cause all sorts of problems, so it’s best to stay on top of them during the fall and winter months. 

• Replace Cabin and Engine Air Filters: If you haven’t replaced your cabin air filter or engine air filter in a while, now is a good time to do so. These filters play an important role in keeping your air clean and free of contaminants. Over time, they can become clogged with dust and dirt, which reduces their efficacy. Replacing them at least once a year ensures that your air stays clean all year long. 

• Check HVAC System: Finally, have your HVAC system checked by a professional. This system circulates both heat and air conditioning throughout your vehicle, so it’s important that it’s in good working order before winter hits. By having it checked now, you can avoid being left out in the cold (literally!) later on down the road. 

By following our Fall car care checklist, you can avoid costly repairs later on down the road and ensure that your car is running smoothly all season long!