Important Maintenance Tips For Safe September Driving
Published on September 06, 2023 08:00 AM in Maintenance
Planning a road trip this fall to see the changing leaves? As the leaves change colors and the weather takes a turn, autumn presents a picturesque backdrop for driving.
The beauty of this season also brings unpredictable weather conditions that can pose challenges on the roads. From sudden rain showers or snow showers to slippery leaves covering the pavement, staying safe while driving in autumn requires extra caution and preparedness.
Below are a few tips to consider before hitting the road this fall:
Important service tips for September:
- Inspect your wiper blades for cracking and fraying. Windshield wiper blades aren’t used for much of the year, so it’s easy to forget about them. Wipers can be damaged by sun and exposure to harsh weather, trips to the car wash, road debris, even the ozone layer, drying out the rubber element and causing it to crack and fray.
- Test the electrical capacity of your vehicle battery. Heat takes a toll on batteries, and they can go bad literally overnight with the arrival of cool weather.
- Look for leaks, frayed hoses and worn belts damaged by hot summer driving. A pre-fall inspection report can help you avoid expensive autumn breakdown.
- Check battery cable connections and other charging components such as the alternator. Rust, corrosion and crusty terminals can reduce battery power.
- Top off fluids. Summer driving can cause fluids to evaporate. Check your coolant/antifreeze and windshield cleaner–the fluids are easy to neglect but critical for safe autumn driving.
- Inspect the climate control system for obstructions such as pine needles and accumulated grime that can impede airflow. Check fluid and test the settings to see if it is operating properly.
- Ask about winter coolant intended for extreme cold temperatures. While a 50/50 mix of coolant to water may work in most climates, your vehicle may need a different mixture for extreme temperature zones.
- Review your vehicle manual for seasonal recommendations. Ask whether your vehicle is due for a climate control system flush. If antifreeze hasn’t been replaced in several years, the fluid may have lost its effectiveness. Rust particles may clog the system and cause failure.
Critical tire tips for September:
- Make sure tires are properly inflated (check manufacturer recommendations). Proper tire maintenance is essential for safe driving in any season, but it becomes especially crucial during autumn's unpredictable weather. Cooler overnight temps may trigger a tire inflation warning. Proper inflation improves tire performance and safety, and may also improve gas mileage.
- Check for uneven tire wear. It’s a sign something may be wrong with the tire balance or alignment.
- Do you have a spare tire? It needs to be inspected as well.
- Tire rubber degrades after several years. Older tires may need to be replaced even if they have not been used.
- Check your tires and make sure they are properly inflated. Proper tire maintenance is essential for safe driving in any season, but it becomes especially crucial during autumn's unpredictable weather. Cooler overnight temps may trigger a tire inflation warning. Proper inflation improves tire performance and safety, and may also improve gas mileage.
- Ensure your tires have adequate tread depth. Rubber compounds wear fast on hot summer roads. Do your tires have enough tread to drive safely on slick roads? The inspection report and your service advisor can help decide.
Windshield Cleaning Tips for September
- Check the windshield washer reservoir and fill to the recommended level. Wiper fluid gets used quickly during a single snowstorm or if you are traveling along grimy roadways.
- Clear spray nozzles of clogs or obstructions that may prevent proper operation when you need them most.
- Test the wiper system and sweep of the blades. A fall storm could be the first time you’ve flipped them on in months, only to see your windshield coated with a mucky haze of dirt and grime.
- Consider specialized blades. If you live in an extremely cold environment, consider blades intended for ice and snow. They are made with rubber compounds intended to remain pliable in freezing temperatures.