When most people think of seasonal car care, winter and summer spring (ha, ha) to mind before other times of the year. Don’t write off the importance of fall car care – it can significantly reduce the maintenance you need in winter, especially if you live in a cold climate. Let’s cover five tips to prepare your car for fall!
1: Make Sure Your Fluid Levels Look Solid
Most people know to change their oil every six months or so, but other fluids often go overlooked.
First, check your engine oil. Most cars have a dipstick you can use to check the oil level. Pull it up and wipe it clean. Then, stick it back in and pull it up again. If the oil level is near the maximum and light golden or amber-colored, you’re good. If the oil level is at or below the minimum or brown/black, it’s time for an oil change.
Additionally, check your:
- Brake fluid. Usually located in a reservoir in the engine bay, brake fluid should be clear. Measure it using the dipstick – if it’s cloudy or near the minimum level, it’s time to re-up!
- Transmission fluid. In automatic-transmission cars, you can check your transmission fluid while the car is on and in either park or neutral. If the fluid is amber or red and feels smooth, it should be fine – if it’s gritty and/or dark, it may be time to replace it. In manual transmission cars, transmission fluid access is usually under the vehicle, so it may be easier to ask a mechanic for help.
- Windshield washer fluids. The easiest fluid to check – if nothing comes out of your wipers, you’re probably out. There’s a reservoir under the hood you can easily fill with replacement fluid.
- Coolant. When in doubt, let a mechanic check your coolant – checking it while your car is hot can be extremely dangerous. Fortunately, it only needs to be completely replaced around every 50,000 miles. If you do want to check it, you’ll want to look two places – the overflow reservoir and the radiator. Both should be full of coolant.
- Power steering fluid. Most vehicles store power-steering fluid under the hood on the passenger side in a clear container. As a result, it’s usually easy to check your levels. If your container is opaque, there should be a dipstick to measure it with. Make sure the cap is clean before removing it to check!
Cold weather can make various fluids thicken and become more viscous, taking longer to move through the vehicle. Making sure your fluid levels are at or near their maximum and in good condition sets you up for success going into the winter.
Want a deeper dive into changing your car fluids? We interviewed a master technician to help you out – read more here!
Note: If you don’t feel comfortable changing fluids yourself, always seek out a mechanic. They can top you up safely, and may be able to show you how to change the fluids while your car’s in the shop.
2: Check Your Wiper Blades
Replacing your wiper blades during the fall means you’ll be ready to go when the first frost hits your windshield.
If your wiper blades cause streaking, smearing, or “chattering” (multiple tiny lines) in condensation when you use them, it may be time to swap them out.
If you live in a cold climate, you can actually get winter weather wiper blades to prepare for snow and frost. Winter blades have a protective rubber layer that helps them wipe away ice or snow without damaging the blade. Otherwise, normal all-season wiper blades should serve you fine.
3: Are Your Tires Ready for Fall?
To prepare your tires for the fall:
- Check the tread. A tired with a tread depth of 2/32″ needs to be replaced immediately, but you should aim for at least 6/32″. For a quick test, place a penny upside down in the groove next to the tread at several points on each tire. If the tread only comes up to Abraham Lincoln’s hairline, it may be time to start thinking about replacing your tires. As a frame of reference, new tire tread usually reaches Uncle Abe’s nose.
- Make sure they’re inflated. Most vehicles list an “ideal” air pressure on the door edge, jamb, fuel door, or glove box door. You can use a tire pressure gauge to fill them on your own if they’re below the recommended level. Make sure they’re cool before inflating!
- Rotate them, so they wear evenly.
4: Make Sure Your Brakes Won’t Take a Break
Iffy brakes are the last thing you need when the first frost/ice/snow hits. To check your brakes:
- Listen close. Most brakes make a metallic “scraping” noise when the brake pad is almost worn out. Note: This sounds different than “squeaking,” which can happen due to moisture.
- Feel it out. Worn-out brake pads can cause the steering wheel or brake pedal to vibrate.
- Check your lights. If a brake warning light comes on, it’s time to get your brakes checked.
5: Test Your Heating!
Most cars channel engine heat from the radiator to a heater core to create warmth. At this point, you may have gone three to six months without turning the heater on – so try it out before the first frost hits! If your heater doesn’t work correctly, you may want to take it in and have a mechanic check the heater core.
With these five tips to prepare your car for fall, you should be ready to head into the cooler months running hot. Stay tuned for more car care tips and tricks!
