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Seasonal Car Tips for Fall and Winter

Updated: Oct 17, 2022



As we’re heading toward fall and winter in the Northern Hemisphere, we thought it a good idea to share some seasonal car tips!


Fall


October is car safety month, so it makes sense to give your car a full inspection to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. This can help make sure that you don’t get stranded by the roadside due to a car breakdown a bit further down the line. It will also extend the life of the car.


Fluids


Go through all the fluids to ensure there is enough and nothing is leaking. That includes power steering fluid, engine oil, and brake and transmission fluid. Also, make a point to check the coolant/antifreeze and windshield washer solvent. While it may be alright to use water for your windshield in summer, you’ll need something that doesn’t freeze in fall if you live in a cold area.


Likewise, the coolant should be about 50/50 coolant and water. If you use more water, it may freeze. In some very cold places you may have to add even more coolant to ensure it doesn’t freeze. Check with mechanics near you about the right combo for the temperatures you get in winter.


The Battery


Is the connection alright? Meaning, is it clean, tight, and corrosion free?


You can clean the battery post and connections yourself. When the engine is off, put on a pair of gloves. Then, disconnect the negative cable, then the positive cable. After that, clean the battery terminal post. You can use either a wire brush or battery cleaning tool. Then, move on to the cable terminals. You can clean off the grease and acid residue on top of the battery using a simple paper towel.


When done cleaning, attach the positive cable first, then the negative cable.


You can also spray the battery terminals with battery terminal protectant to prevent corrosion.


And how old is the battery? Does it need a replacement, or is it still in great shape? Usually, you need to replace it every five years. You can check fluid levels in the battery yourself, but it’s worth having a professional checking it once a year. Particularly before the cold hits as battery power goes down then.


The Brakes


If there’s any one thing affecting safety in your car, it’s the brakes. Have them checked by a professional if you can’t do it yourself–the brake linings, rotors and drums should all be inspected.


The Exhaust System


Go through the exhaust system to ensure wear and tear hasn’t gotten the better of it.


Belts & Hoses


Are all the belts and hoses in good condition? If they start fraying, cracking, or getting brittle, you’ll need to think about replacing them as soon as possible.


HVAC


The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system may need a tune-up, too. If you live in an area where it gets really cold in winter, it’s vital that the heating in the car works. Not only that, as it gets colder outside, the windows tend to fog up unless your HVAC system is working properly.


Also, consider changing the filters. Lots of bacteria and pollutants get stuck there.


The Steering and Suspension System


If you aren’t good with mechanics, you’ll need to have someone check this for you, as it involves inspecting the shock absorbers, struts, and chassis parts.


Check the Tyres


Old tires tend to crack, which leads to air seeping out, albeit very slowly. If your tires have reached this stage, it’s time for a change. Likewise, if the tread has worn down, you know it’s time for a change of tyres.


You’ll also need to check for uneven wear, as that indicates that your wheel alignment is out of whack.


You should make it a habit to check the tire pressure once a month or so.


If you live in a place where winter comes early, it’s time to change the tires to winter tires.


The Windscreen Wipers


If the wipers are getting worn down, it will be harder to see when it’s raining, so it’s important to change those.


If the first snow starts falling already in autumn, be sure to get winter wiper blades. In fact, it’s always better to buy them in fall and keep them in the car so that you’re ready when the snow comes.


As mentioned previously, also check the windshield washer liquid. If you used water in summer, it may be time to change to a solvent that won’t freeze as temperatures drop.


The Lights


Sometimes a light starts to dim without us noticing, so turn on and off the lights while someone else is checking them from the outside. Remember to check the fog lights, indicators, and brake lights, too.


You may also want to check the interior lights–the winter months are generally darker, so it’s important to be able to see inside the car when you park at night.


Engine Tune-Up


As part of your maintenance routine, you may also want to schedule an engine tune-up. That will ensure it stays in tip-top shape.


Your Safety Bag


You also need a safety kit for your car–a warning triangle, some Hachtyre Inflate & Ride in case of a puncture when you’re out somewhere and don’t want to change a wheel then and there, duct tape, jumper cables, fluids (oil, brake fluid, coolant, windscreen solvent), a towing rope, a snow shovel, ice brush/scraper, safety absorbent (it can help you gain traction if you get stuck on ice…as can cat litter), and possibly a tool kit.


You can read more about tips for what to pack in the car to keep you and your family safe here.


Winter


Depending on where you live, this is when you have to start preparing your car for frost, ice, and snow. Or, perhaps, just fog and rain.


Lubricate the Window Tracks


Seeping water can sometimes get into the window tracks and freeze. In turn, it creates a drag when you open or close the windows. This can damage the window regulator cables.


To avoid this from happening, simply spray the window tracks with spray silicone, or dry teflon spray lubricant.


Lube Your Weather Stripping


While on the topic of silicone spray, you should use some on your weather stripping, too. This, in case water gets between the door and the stripping and basically freezes the door shut. To prevent it from happening, simply spray some silicone spray on a rag and wipe down your weather stripping and mating door surfaces. Do the same for your trunk lid.


Lube the Locks


Your door locks will also do well with some lube. While you may rarely ever use your key, should your key fob run out of battery, you’ll want to be able to manually lock and unlock your car. If the locks have corroded, this will be difficult.


Use graphite lock lubricant, or dry teflon spray lube to spray into the locks to avoid corrosion. Remember the trunk lock, too.


Lube the Hood Latch


Another thing that tends to corrode is the hood latch. In winter, salty water will get sprayed onto the latch by cars driving in front of you. As a result, it often corrodes and sticks. Taking the time to apply some lithium grease will help prevent this from happening. Just be sure to apply it before roads get covered in salt to keep snow and ice away.


Replace the Hood Lifts


If you have gas lift cylinders that keep your hood open, consider replacing them before winter. They tend to go downhill as winter approaches and temperatures go down.


Wax Your Lights


If you live in a place where there’s snow, waxing your lights may help keep the ice at bay.


As you already checked your lights in fall, you may not need to do so again, but it never hurts. If you make a habit of checking them whenever there’s a change in season, you’ll be all the safer for it. And winter is a lot darker than summer in most parts of the world, so it’s important the lights work.


Get the Right Oil


As temperatures drop, your car may need a more lightweight engine oil than in summer and fall. This is because oil thickens as temperatures go down. Having a lightweight oil can help keep your car better lubricated and also assist with a better engine start-up. You’ll find so-called winter oil in most places that sell oil in colder climates.


Tyre Pressure


As the temperature changes, so does your tyre pressure. You should, therefore, check it every couple of weeks during the winter months.


If you live in a place where you get ice and snow, it’s time to change to winter tyres. When temperatures go below 7 degrees Celsius it’s time to change!


Top Up On Gas


If you live in an area that has sub-zero temperatures, remember to keep the gas tank half full at all times to prevent the gas from freezing. If it gets very cold where you are, consider adding gas-line antifreeze every second time you top up on gas (granted you fill the tank to full whenever it reaches half full).


Check the Battery


If you replaced your battery in fall, you don’t need to check if the battery needs replacement. However, the battery power goes down if it gets really cold, so ensure the connections are spick and spam.

Check the Brakes


While you already went over the brakes in fall, it doesn’t hurt to double check them as winter hits. Ice, snow, and rain mean the roads are slippier than usual. You need your brakes to be in excellent condition.


Exhaust


The exhaust system is also important in winter as you’ll drive with your windows closed. However, if you went over it in fall it should be fine.


Buy a Good Wax


Waxing your car will help keep it protected from ice and rain that can otherwise add to wear and tear.


In Closing


It’s always good to check your car on a regular basis, but as low temperatures, rain, and snow, wreak havoc on a few things, it’s extra important to go over your car as fall and winter approach. It will save you a lot of hassle further down the line!

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