As Autumn rolls in the leaves will fall from the trees, the evenings will get darker and the changes in weather create vast changes in driving conditions. Heavy rainfall, cooler temperatures and wet leaves covering the roads all provide new driving hazards at this time of year.
So as you're dusting off the woolly hats, gloves and scarves to get yourself ready, have you considered a few simple checks to ensure your car is also ready for the coming months?
Here are 6 ways to prepare your car for Autumn roads.
1. Lights
As the evenings draw in, we will spend more time driving in the dark, it's important your lights are in full working order to improve your visibility on the road and to others.
Check the side and tail lights, headlamps, brake lights, indicators and fog lamps. And don’t forget the reversing light. Ensure all the bulbs are working and there's no damage to the casing.
For the most accurate checks, do it at night when the lights will be most obvious.
2. Windows
Damp autumn weather and low sun are a potentially dangerous combination, as they bring out the worst in a dirty windscreen. Use window cleaner and a microfibre cloth to clean the inside of the windows to help prevent them fogging.
It's not just the inside of your windows that need attention. Check your windscreen for chips and have them repaired to prevent them filling up with debris or expanding into a crack.
And finally, check your windscreen wipers. The rubber that sits on your windscreen should be in good condition, so no fraying or splits, and they should clear your windscreen without smearing. If they aren't up to scratch, get them replaced.
3. Tyres
With the road conditions about to change dramatically, tyres will be more important than ever for keeping you safe on the road.
Check your tread depths, and if they are below 3mm, you should consider replacing them. Although the legal limit is 1.6mm, research has shown that it can take vehicles up to 44meters to stop at motorway speed sin wet weather compared. The healthier your tyres are, the more effective your stopping time will be.
When you're looking at your tyres, check for any splits, damage or bulges that could develop into a more serious problem down the line. You should also carry these checks out on your spare tyre as well.
If you don't have a spare tyre, you should check your tyre puncture repair kit to ensure it hasn't expired.
And finally, don't forget to check your air pressure is correct!
4. Paintwork
The wet weather brings dirtier roads. This means more debris will cling onto your paintwork. The more dirt that builds up, and the longer it hangs around, the more likely you are to cause blemishes or damage to your paintwork.
Consider fully cleaning, waxing and polishing your paintwork before the wet weather sets in to protect it from the worst.
5. Fluids
Time to pop the bonnet and make sure your engine has everything it needs. As a minimum, you should check:
- Screenwash
- Engine Coolant
- Oil
Make sure your engine is cool and the fluids are settled before carrying out your checks, and refer to your handbook if you need help working out how much should be in there.
6. Book a full vehicle health check
Give yourself full peace of mind by booking a full vehicle health check. Our 30 point vehicle health check will inspect your car from bumper to bonnet and ensure everything is in working order and good condition.
We'll provide you with the full video inspection so you can see for yourself, plus a report that highlights any areas of concern using our simple traffic light system.