The Ultimate Guide on How To Prepare Your Car for Fall

You need to do more than routine maintenance and top off the gas tank to ensure a vehicle is in its best running condition. Four seasons of changing weather and driving conditions require it.

Yet, you might wonder: How do I prepare my car for fall? Do I need to prepare my car for fall? Yes, you should prepare your car or any other vehicle for fall. Fall brings shorter days, longer nights, and a greater potential for varying types of precipitation. You might wake up while it is raining and go to bed while it is snowing.

Preparing Your Car for Fall

Some basic steps can help you prepare your car for fall and winter. You should especially pay close attention to the following five areas.

Belts and Hoses

Summertime can be especially hard on rubber belts and hoses. The dry and hot weather in the Desert Southwest is especially brutal on them. You should check the serpentine belt and any separate alternator or fan belt your vehicle might have. You want to look for signs of cracking, dry rot, and missing teeth that indicate excessive wear and tear.

The hoses leading into and out of the radiator also need a close inspection. You want to check them for hard spots, cracking, and dry rot that weakens the hoses and might cause them to leak or fail. You also should tighten the hose clamps as needed. Replace belts or hoses that show signs of wear and tear.

Brakes, Wheels, and Tires

A lot of people do significantly more driving during the spring and summer months than they do in the fall and winter. You should check the brakes, replace worn-out brake pads, and ensure the calipers and rotors are in good shape.

Bleeding the brake lines will help to give you the best stopping power. Topping off the master cylinder will ensure you have good brake fluid.

While the wheels are off for the brake inspection, your mechanic should balance them and inspect the tires for any damage or excessive wear and tear. Rotating the tires will even out the wear.

Battery and Lights

Hot summer days like those encountered in the greater Las Vegas area can cook your battery. When the weather turns cold, you might be stuck with a dead battery. You should check the battery and replace it if it is not taking and holding a full charge. You also should check the lights and replace any bulbs that have burned out.

Check the Coolant

The coolant could deteriorate during the hot summer months or not be sufficient to protect against potential freezing during the winter. You should check the coolant to ensure it is in good condition and flush and fill it if it is not.

It also helps to replace worn wiper blades and switch to a washer fluid containing deicer so that you can see clearly while driving on cold, rainy, or snowy days.