End-of-summer Car Care Tips in Time for Fall Car Care Month

Posted: Sept 17th 2021

Now that summer is abruptly ending, it's time to remember that there's one important month coming up: October. October is well-known for being a month dedicated to the days leading up to Halloween. However, believe it or not, it's also known as Fall Car Care Month. So here are some end-of-summer car care tips that you should consider if you want to ensure that your car is in the best condition that it can be this fall and winter.

Lights

Lights are an absolute must for being able to see, especially when there is rain, snow, or fog. Check to make sure that all your lights are functioning properly. That includes marker lights, turning signals, hazard lights, brake lights, reverse lights, taillights, headlights, and fog lights. If you don't already have them, consider installing aftermarket fog lights for your car.

Wipers

It's good to replace your wiper blades every six months. However, they may wear a lot sooner than you think. During the end of summer, replace any wiper blades that either streak, chatter or don't clear the windshield properly. When you're doing that, remember to get your hands on winter washer fluid as well.

Tires

Take a look at your tires to see if they have at least 4/32 inches of tread depth remaining. Also check for abnormal tread wear because it may show signs of alignment or suspension problems. When the weather is cooler, the tire pressure can drop. For that reason, inflate the tires to the psi that is indicated by the owner's manual or the tire and loading label on the driver's door jamb.

Battery

The chilly fall weather can have an impact on your car's battery. First, look for corrosion on the battery terminals. This needs to be cleaned or repaired to eliminate resistance, which can occur between the battery and the rest of the electrical system, like the starter and blower, for instance. Next, have the battery load tested. If you find that it's too weak, replace it straight away.

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning system plays a very important role in defogging the windshield and front windows of your car because it pumps in dry air. In the winter, you can quickly defrost your windshield by cranking the heat, then turning on the air conditioning.

Fluids and Belts

It's essential to check and adjust all fluid levels. That includes engine oil, engine coolant, power steering fluid and transmission fluid. If needed, replace V-belts and serpentine belts after checking them.

Cooling System

Aside from checking for coolant leaks, pay extra attention to other things: the pressure cap and the thermostat. Even though you can't see the thermostat, you can still keep an eye out for the temperature gauge or the OBDII ECT (engine coolant temperature) reading. Regardless of whether it's hot or cold outside, the ECT should steadily rise to the thermostat opening temperature, which is usually 175-200 degrees F. If the ECT can't reach a stable temperature, that is a sign that the thermostat is broken.

Floor Mats

Swap out your floor mats for all-weather ones. They will prove to be very useful when it comes to protecting your car's interior, particularly from moisture, stains, stinky smells, and corrosive material like road salt.

Slippery Situations

Prepare yourself for slippery occurrences when your car is rear-wheel drive by placing a 20-pound bag of road salt, sand, dirt, or kitty litter in your trunk. This can be very beneficial during the colder months by improving tire grip.

Now that you know about these helpful end-of-summer car care tips, your car will be prepared for anything! Make sure to dedicate some spare time towards evaluating your car or contact us at CTR Automotive & Industrial Supply for any questions or concerns. We provide amazing services in Winnipeg, including online auto parts and car accessories, so don't hesitate to give us a call today!