Preparing your car for autumn

Preparing your car for autumn is a very good idea. This Dumfries MOT Centre blog covers pretty much all you need to know about a season where driving conditions can become subtly more hazardous, just like the whisper of a falling leaf.

And if you have any questions about car maintenance you can either check our FAQs, read our other blogs or get in touch with us on 01387 440 450 or book your car MOT and service via our website. 

It’s what’s on the inside that counts

Summer tends to be the season when we neglect cleaning the inside of the car but damp autumn weather and a low-slung sun tend to show up all that hidden dirt on the windscreen. It’s probably dirtier than you imagine on the inside and window cleaner and a microfibre cloth will help keep fogging at bay.

You’ve had your chips

You might want to get a friend or family member to circumnavigate the car while you try all the lights – including rear intensity fog lights and reverse light – to make sure that no bulbs are out.

This is perhaps also a good time to look for chips in the windscreen and repair them too. And while you’re there take a look at your wipers. The rubber part shouldn’t be showing signs of wear and tear by being all frayed and split. If they have seen better days all they’ll do is smear the dirt and debris around.

Seeing tread

You don’t need us to tell you how important tyre tread is and we can inspect it for you to make sure that it’s not dropped below the legal limit.

Wet roads sodden with fallen leaves and mulch make for slippery conditions, and tyre pressure should likewise be monitored, including your spare tyre.

It just won’t wash 

Delving under the car bonnet when the engine is cold can unearth some other stuff to do.

Like fill up the screen wash. Unless you’re using ready mixed, this should be diluted with tap water to the correct consistency according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Then it’s time to check the engine coolant. Your handbook will direct you to the reservoir, and the fluid should sit between the maximum and minimum marked points. The ratio of anti-freeze and coolant should already be correct if the car is serviced according to the manufacturer’s schedule.

Engine oil is also easy to check, and always at least 10 minutes after the engine is switched off. Armed with two paper towels, one to grip and remove the dipstick, the other to wipe the end of the dipstick clean. The oil should be between the minimum and maximum marks.

Batteries aren’t forever

Just ask Shirley Bassey.

The colder the weather the greater the toll on the beating heart of your car engine: the battery. Starting problems might then become a part of your morning routine. If yours is showing signs that it’s struggling in autumn – like coughing and spluttering and failing to turn the engine over quickly enough or becoming flat after driving a few short distances, it’s worth changing it before the true onslaught of autumn gives way to winter.

On the rocks 

Temperatures can plunge in autumn, and it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of summer security. This brings the risk of ice and the dreaded scraper, but please don’t use a kettle of boiling water because it could cause cracks.

And please do wait until the screen is fully defrosted before driving and check the weather forecast and be careful on shadier roads.

I drove all night 

One last pointer. You might wish to practice your nighttime driving if you’re a bit rusty because it’s amazing how quickly we all get out of practice after the light-fest that is summer.