From vibrant green to warm orange, the colors of the leaves right outside your window tell you one thing: autumn is finally here. Aside from the abrupt change in weather, autumn brings unique road hazards for drivers, like dry foliage littering the roads. This, in turn, can reduce your tires’ traction that can lead to car accidents. There’s also a chance that you’ll drive on damp roads caused by heavy rains or amidst heavy fog on a chilly autumn morning. Kia dealers near Santa Fe, NM know the danger of driving during autumn with an unprepared car.
Here are some simple car care tips you need to do this autumn to stay safe while driving.
Check and replace your wiper blades
Car owners tend to overlook the state of their wiper blades whenever they do a maintenance checkup. However, like any other part of your vehicle, wiper blades tend to wear down, making them inflexible and ineffective.
With autumn just around the corner, your vehicle needs a pair of new wiper blades to keep your windshield clean in case of heavy rain. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune on decent wiper blades. It’s also reasonably easy to replace them yourself, so you don’t have to pay a professional to install a new set.
Check, change/top up your fluids
While you are at it, it would be a wise idea also to check your fluid levels. Cooler temperatures can lead to fluids becoming thicker, which may cause the fluid to course through your engine a bit slower. Ideally, it is recommended to drain all fluids and replace them entirely instead of just topping them off.
Get a professional to check your car’s heating system
Depending on where you are, autumn can be bitterly cold. The last thing you need is to get frozen inside your car as you drive. That’s why you need to give special attention to your car’s heater, especially if your vehicle does not have climate control. Before the temperature drops completely, check how well your heater and defroster system works.
Check your brakes and tires
It’s easy to forget that tires are a crucial part of your vehicle. However, you need to spend time inspecting if your brakes and tires are working as they are supposed to. After all, it affects the overall performance and safety of your vehicle.
Your car’s braking ability is especially critical during autumn, with mulch and puddles making the roads extra slippery. Take a moment to measure your tire’s tread depth. You need to take measurements at the outer, center, and inner treads. If a tire’s tread is less than 4/32”, then you should consider replacing it to avoid further wear and tear.
Prepare a car emergency kit
As much as it is easier to keep the car emergency kit you had from the last season, it is simply not sensible. For one thing, changing seasons can bring various unique road hazards – that means you will be needing different tools to keep you ready from whatever potential accident you might encounter. An autumn car emergency kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries, ice scraper, rain poncho, jumper cables, toolkit, orange safety triangles and flares, and a first aid kit.
Don’t wait for your car to break down in the middle of the road on a chilly autumn day. Check out Fiesta Kia for more helpful tips on how to prepare your car for autumn.
