Autumn is already here. With this, it goes without saying that this season of the year is characterized by the appearance of adverse weather phenomena that can surprise us on the road. Among them are rain, fog and ice that announce, in a certain way, the arrival of winter. Furthermore, in autumn the nights are longer, so the risks of accidents can increase, as night driving is more dangerous than daytime driving.
From Coches.com we invite you to be cautious and above all, we show you some of the necessary tips to have the car ready in autumn:
Check the lights
Now that the hours of sunshine are beginning to decrease, this is a key aspect in your vehicle. So the first thing you should do is check your headlights, taillights, parking lights, brake lights, and turn signals. It will be very useful to ask someone you know for help to tell you if they are okay. In this sense, you may be interested in the article The lights in your car, what they are like and how to use them.
Experts advise checking the lights every five years, since over time the bulbs lose intensity. Remember that, in addition to being dangerous, having a burned-out headlight represents a fine of 200 euros (without loss of points).
To prevent this from happening to you, use your lights when necessary… and remember to turn them off when you leave a tunnel. In addition, they will illuminate better if you clean the headlight from the outside when washing the car, using a cloth and glass cleaner.
Rear window
Check that the rear thermal window works correctly. You probably haven’t used it for months and maybe you’ll be surprised when you really need it. If it doesn’t work, it may just be a matter of changing a simple fuse.
Tires
It is one of the maxims when it comes to tuning up the car in autumn. Your drawing must have, for security and by Law, at least 1.6mm deep. If it is less, it is recommended to change them for new ones. Even so, if they are more than four years old it is also advisable to replace them, since the rubber hardens and loses up to 60% of its effectiveness.
To try to make them last as long as possible, what you should do is drive gently. In addition, it is important to avoid curbs when parking and, above all, wear them with the appropriate pressure (you have to check them every month and before embarking on any long trip).
In the event that you puncture a tire, we remind you that you must carry the spare wheel to the necessary pressure and tools for its placement. Apart from this, you have to carry a duly approved reflective vest and two approved danger signaling triangles in the car. In this post we collect all the things you should carry in the car)
Brushes
The purpose of the blades is to completely clean the windshield. Visually, check that your rubber is not cracked and that they correctly sweep the windshield. How do we know when they fail? When they leave traces of dirt or make a louder noise than normal (its maximum useful life is two years).
To extend its use, just clean them once a month with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol and a soft cloth. What you cannot do is use them to remove ice from the windshield. You should know that during the summer, and due to the high temperatures, they may have been in poor condition.
Change the oil
When changing the car’s oil, it should be done with the car cold and parked on level ground, and then remove the dipstick in the engine compartment. The oil level must always be between MAX marks and MIN. However, most cars have a warning light on the instrument panel that warns if the level drops too low.
On the other hand, if the engine is gasoline and you see that the oil is very black, replace it. In diesel cars it is more common for it to darken. To try to extend the life of your car’s oil further, you should avoid short trips and sports driving. A few months ago we explained the keys to choosing the best car oil for your engine.
Inspect under the hood
Looking under the hood will allow you to identify obvious signs of wear or parts that need replacing or fixing, such as leaks, cracks and clamps. Also inspect (it doesn’t hurt) the bottom of the transmission belts and replace them if necessary. Finally, if you hear any type of noise in the engine, it is best to call a mechanic and have it checked.
Battery
We all know that sometimes it is difficult to start the car in cold weather. The ideal is to have a fully charged battery.
How do you know when to change the battery? If you have more than five years You must change it: it is its average life and if it is older than that age it can leave you stranded when you least expect it (you may be interested in our basic tips for buying a new battery).
In order not to waste it and extend its useful life, you should not connect the radio, lights or heating with the engine without starting, since this will consume much more.
Coolant liquid
The coolant is responsible for keeping the engine at a constant temperature (between 90º and 92º) for correct operation. Whether it is possible to drive the vehicle at low temperatures will depend on its good condition. It is also responsible for supplying hot water for heating.
Although you can add water, it is not advisable to do so for two reasons. To begin with, modern cars are no longer made only of iron and steel, but lighter alloys are used… which can be damaged by water. The coolant contains corrosion inhibitors that protect them. The second reason is that it contains ethylene glycol, a chemical that does not freeze in winter.
To replace or replace it, what you must do is open the tank (always with the engine cold) and check that there are no traces of rust and that the color of the liquid is normal (green, pink or yellow). Experts recommend change it every two years.
(NOTE): Post originally published in October 2013. We have improved and completed the information.
Opening photo: Flickr CM Keiner
