Classic Kia’s Car Care Maintenance Tips for Safe Driving in Autumn Weather

Sep 24, 2022

Of course, the arrival of Autumn means breaking out the cozy sweaters, scarves, boots, but that’s not all! In addition to wardrobe changes and seasonal decor, Fall also means ushering in of rainier, foggier weather and slippery roadways. Today we’re covering some helpful tips and tricks for car care maintenance to ensure you’re prepared for these autumnal weather changes. Need a little help to get your car in tip-top shape? Give us a call at Classic Auto Body Shop to schedule a service appointment and we’ll handle your vehicle’s maintenance in a jiffy!

Install some all-weather floor mats and trunk mats. Fall weather means more time outdoors in nature, and with it comes all manner of dirt, grime, dust, and debris as well as those blustery, rainy days that bring mud and muck. Protect your car’s interiors and cut down on your cleaning maintenance with a good set of rubber/silicone floor mats!

Inspect the vehicle’s wiper blades, defroster, and heating systems. As the weather gets colder and rainier, it’s vital to your safety that you have properly working wiper blades to clear away wet leaves and debris, and maintain clear visibility during inclement weather. Check your owner’s manual to ensure you’re getting the proper size wiper blades, and consider one with hydrophobic coating built-in! It’s also important to check the defroster and heat blower system, as it will help dissipate the fog and condensation off your windshield before you start driving and keep visibility clear. Before it gets too cold out, consider applying a thorough application of a water-repellant such as RainX to the glass surfaces on your vehicle to aid in visibility during storms.

Service your whole brakes system: Emergency Brake, Brakes/Lines, Rotors, etc. It’s vital to have a good set of brakes and quality rotors, and is the difference between the ability to stop safely and avoid accidents. It is important to make sure that your braking system and brake light are in perfect working order before you’re faced with a split second decision to swerve, stop short, or find a wet patch of leaves on the roadway. Check your front and rear brakes, emergency brake, and brake light system before the slippery road conditions start! You want to drive with confidence knowing your vehicle will keep you safe in the event of potential accidents!

Check your car battery. Colder months mean we’re more apt to leave our car running to “warm it up” so we don’t shiver on our morning commutes. This also means a higher potential for draining the battery through accidental means. Be prepared in the event of human error or issues at start-up by always keeping a portable battery charger to jump-start in the event you’re stranded with no one around, or in a space where no one can reach your vehicle. If a vehicle is going into or coming out of storage, the battery should definitely be checked and replaced as they do lose charge while sitting.

Have a wheel alignment and tire rotation, and inspect the tires thoroughly. We’ve recently covered tire maintenance on an earlier blog this month, but it’s always worth mentioning again! After all, it’s one of the most vital components to your vehicle’s function. Check your tire pressure and make sure the PSI matches the manufacturer requirements (can be located in your manual or on a label on the side door pockets or frame.) Look for signs of wear and tear such as bulges and bubbles, cracks or small tears, or significant tread wear leaving bald spots. Consider rotating your tires if you’ve not done it in a while. Any damaged tires should be replaced, and a good set of all-weather tires swapped in for summer tires.

Ensure your car’s headlights and casings are clean, and replace dim or broken bulbs. Fall has ushered in the beautiful fall foliage, and also those gorgeously moody, foggy and misty mornings, and the waning evening sunlight. It’s important that you make sure you have bright, clear headlights to maintain road safety and reduce accidents.