Autumn car maintenance checklist: Returning to routine
As the cooler weather approaches, it's time to get your vehicle ready to return to routine. Whether you're dropping the kids off at school or commuting to work in the dark, drive confidently knowing that your car can support every journey this autumn and winter.
However, there's a lot to cover to ensure you minimise chances of breaking down or experiencing a dreaded flat battery! Use our top seasonal checklist to make sure you're covered from tyres and fluids to maintaining visibility.
Tyres
With slippery leaves and stubborn ice soon to feature on British roads, it's super important to make sure that your tyres are prepared for the change in conditions. Road salt and grit in the winter can build up quickly and cause corrosion. So, making sure that your tyres and wheels are cleaned regularly helps to protect the rubber, preserves the rims and keeps your tyres working.
If you want professional reassurance, take advantage of our free car tyre check. Our experts will inspect your tyre tread, pressure and overall condition, with no obligation afterwards to replace your tyres. However, if you do require a replacement set, pop into your local National Tyres autocentre, where our colleagues will gladly assist you or shop tyres online.
1. Tyre Tread
Your tyre tread is crucial for the safety of the driver, passengers, and other road users. Tread provides grip and friction between the tyre and road, providing the traction necessary for all manoeuvres, including braking, accelerating, and steering. When it's raining, your tyre tread also drains water off your tyres to prevent aquaplaning and loss of control.
If your tyre tread becomes too worn down, you can expect the opposite of the above. You'll have a much bigger braking distance and will be more likely to skid in poor road conditions.
It's also a legal requirement that your tyre tread depth be at least 1.6mm. However, many manufacturers recommend that it should be deeper than that. You can test your tread depth at home using the simple 20p coin test. All you need to do is slot a 20p coin into your tyre's tread groove. If the lower edge/band of the coin is visible, your tread depth isn't deep enough and is likely both dangerous and illegal! But if the bottom edge of the coin is obscured, you should be good to go.
If your tyre tread is insufficient, we can offer reliable tyres designed by renowned brands, including Goodyear and Avon. We offer a variety of budget, mid-range and premium tyres so that we can meet every customer's needs and budget.
Just like your tread, insufficient tyre pressure also poses a threat to road users. Under-inflated tyres worsen handling, stability, and cornering and extend the vehicle's braking distance. They can also cause financial disasters as you'll spend more money on petrol/fuel and experience faster tyre wear, leading to more frequent replacements. But an overinflated tyre is just as problematic, as it can damage the tyre's structural integrity and minimise road traction and grip.
You should always check your vehicle manufacturer's guide as to the recommended tyre pressure for your car. Generally, tyre pressure should fall somewhere between 30 and 35 PSI. We'd recommend checking your tyre pressure at least once a month, and certainly before long journeys. Avoid relying solely on TPMS alerts too.
Did you know tyre pressure drops around 1-2 PSI for every 10 degrees decrease in temperature? That means as the cold arrives, your tyres could become underinflated. Always check your tyres when they're cold (e.g. in the morning, before driving) as heat raises the internal tyre pressure and may give a 'false' reading.
If you notice gradual but constantly decreasing tyre pressure, it's likely that you've got a slow puncture. A hole or cut in your tyre caused by debris can completely wreck your tyre's performance. It's possible that you can fix the tyre, rather than replace it, if the puncture is within the centre 3/4 of the tyre. Damage to the sidewall is irreparable. You can book a tyre repair service online.
Don't forget the spare tyre - A damaged spare tyre won't help in an emergency, so carry out a quick check of your spare beforehand. Following our checklist, ensure it has sufficient tread, is inflated to the right pressure and remains free of damage. So, when it comes to checking the tyres on the cars, it’s always good to double-check the spare one too.
3. Seasonal changes
You could even consider switching your tyres for a winter set. If you live somewhere particularly cold, like Scotland, winter tyres can be a great motoring addition. They offer superior grip in freezing weather due to their softer rubber and deeper grooves. You'll also experience a shorter braking distance and general peace of mind if you live in areas that forget to promptly grit their roads!
Replacing your tyres seasonally can feel expensive. In this case, all-season tyres might suit you and your car better as they're perfect for year-round use. They're cost-efficient and offer a balanced performance through cold and wet weather for reduced winter hassle!
Fluids
When it comes to the return to routine, it's important to top up and inspect key vehicle fluids for a reliable and safe vehicle performance. Your coolant/antifreeze prevents your engine's cooling system from freezing, overheating and rusting. Too little or an incorrect mix with water (i.e. not 50/50) can cause huge internal damage to your engine components, so make sure your coolant levels are ready for icy temperatures. Carry out a visual inspection; the cap typically says 'engine coolant' or has a symbol of a thermometer. Top up your coolant levels so that it sits between the minimum and maximum marks.
Your brake fluid absorbs moisture because it's hygroscopic, meaning there is an increased risk of freezing and reduced effectiveness. This is a particular danger when driving on icy roads. Replace your brake fluid for a responsive performance and rule out suffering with spongy brake pedals during temperature declines. You can check your owner's manual for how often you should replace your brake fluid and the type of fluid required. Otherwise, have one of our experts do the job for you with our brake fluid change service available now.
It's just as important to inspect your oil levels because motor oil is the blood of a car's engine. It lubricates the moving components, prevents rust and corrosion and helps to cool the engine after long journeys.
Without it, your engine will overheat and is likely to break down - you could even end up forking out for a new engine to replace it. Simply, check your oil level using the dipstick; this will show you what level your oil is currently at. If it's too low - top it up! You can read more expert information about how to check and top up your oil level for DIY maintenance.
Alternatively, let the pros handle it and book an engine oil and filter change with National Tyres!
If you fail to carry out your fluid checks, you're more likely to experience issues like engine or brake failures, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. Remember that the incoming cold further degrades your fluids, meaning that autumn maintenance is especially important for preserving safety. Skipping this step simply isn't worth the risk or repair bill!
Battery
Your car stores the energy that allows your car to start and drive smoothly, as well as providing the energy to components like the radio. It's important to carry out visual inspections so that you can check for any corrosion, like rust and a white/greenish buildup. You can clean corrosion using baking soda and water alongside a stiff brush. Don't forget the cables and clamps either, making sure that they're tight and free from fraying.
Finally, take a look at the casing, always looking out for swelling or leaking, as this can be a sign that your battery needs to be replaced. Do your best to keep your battery dry and free of moisture, as this can cause the battery to slowly discharge.
You may also need to check the battery fluid levels, topping up with distilled water if required. Never use tap water!
Battery maintenance is particularly important in winter... nobody wants to be stranded on their driveway over a flat battery. Driving short distances in cold weather may not be enough to allow your battery to recharge. Try and carry out longer journeys to allow your battery to fully recharge.
Car batteries typically last around 3-5 years, although factors like climate and maintenance can lengthen or shorten this. If your battery is older than 4 years, proactively consider a preventive replacement before the cold weather arrives.
For the ultimate peace of mind, and because we care about our customers, here at National Tyres, we're proud to offer a free battery health check. We'll examine for any underlying issues, preventing unexpected problems down the line. When we conducted a survey about the results from our testing, we discovered that over half of the batteries required recharges or replacements!
If your battery needs to be replaced, we offer an extensive range of affordable to premium options for every car. Plus, all of our batteries come with a four- or five-year guarantee so that your experience is supported and hassle-free. Your car should warn you if it needs to be replaced via dashboard warning lights. Otherwise, you may struggle to start your car or experience electrical issues like dimmed lights.
Visibility
With falling leaves and foggy mornings (and maybe even snowflakes), it’s crucial to maximise your driving visibility as much as you can. There are a few ways to do this.
1. Wiper blades
Wiper blades are essential for clearing water, snow, ice and debris from your windscreen so that you can see whilst driving. Even if the sky is clear, the blinding winter sun can impair your vision if your windscreen is dirty from general debris and smears. If you hear squeaking or notice smearing and skipping, you could have a wiper blade issue.
Did you know it's illegal (and dangerous) to drive with faulty wiper blades? The most common cause of faulty windscreen wipers is a loose pivot nut, which can prevent the wiper from sitting flush against the windscreen, a burnt-out wiper fuse or dead wiper motor (wipers won't move when turned on), and/or a damaged arm. If the arm is damaged, you'll need to order a new blade and attach it to the existing fitting. Read exactly how to fit your new wiper blades right the first time!
2. Windscreen wash
You guessed it - more fluids! Windscreen washer fluid is an important component for making sure you can see in all road conditions. It helps your windscreen wipers with cleaning away dirt, grime, salt, bugs and general road spray. Windscreen fluids mixed with antifreeze are also available and great at melting ice so that you can achieve crisp vision. If your car has too little washer fluid, you're actually breaking the law and liable to legal actions if involved in an accident due to your reduced visibility.
Check your washer fluid at least once a month or even more during winter. Luckily, it's easy to do! Locate the fluid reservoir (normally a plastic tank marked with the appropriate symbol) and visually inspect the fluid level. Is it at the fill line? If not, top it back up until it does reach the line. Simple as that.
Do you like the idea of crystal-clear vision and premium service? Here at National, we offer a Duxback treatment that vastly improves the driver's visibility by repelling raindrops and preventing beading on glass.
In winter, Duxback treatment also prevents ice from sticking and reduces the risk of build-up frost. You can snatch up whole car treatment, windscreen & side windows or just windscreen treatment. Despite the affordable pricing, these services are the epitome of deluxe motoring maintenance... in fact, Duxback was initially designed to be used on aeroplanes!
Or if you’re a DIY lover, our extensive range of Rain-X products is an excellent and affordable way of achieving reliable visibility in rain, sleet or snow!
3. Headlights
A critical part of car safety during winter is getting your headlights ready to drive in poorer conditions (or let's face it, mostly darkness). Have a friend walk around your car while you turn on each light: headlight, direction indicators, sidelights, fog lights, brake lights and taillight. Give them all a wipe to remove any dirt, grime or ice.
It's just as important to look out for other drivers by making sure that your headlights are correctly aligned. In the UK, headlamps dip to the left to prevent oncoming drivers from being dazzled and unable to see. Our headlamp alignment service is the solution to any concerns in this area - book yourself in now for a convenient time.
Brakes
Finally, and possibly most importantly, brakes. With increasingly slippery conditions, your brakes need to perform at their maximum potential so that you can stop even on those slick surfaces. Plus, during summer, your brake pads can quickly wear down due to higher temperatures, which makes it all the more important to add brakes to our autumn checklist. Transition to winter safely and avoid any nasty or hazardous surprises later down the line by checking them early.
Listen out for any unusual noises when you brake - can you hear grinding, squeaking or squealing? If your vehicle appears to shake or the brakes feel 'spongy', these signs also indicate a potential brake problem. Most obviously, if you notice that your vehicle's stopping distance is increasing, you need to get your brakes examined ASAP.
Measure the wear of your brake pads. If the pads are under 3mm, then they are generally considered unsafe and may need to be replaced. You can also take a look at your brake fluid because if it appears dirty, you may need a brake fluid change. Book your slot now for your free brake check, where your disc brakes and brake pads will undergo a visual inspection, and a no-obligation quote will be supplied.
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If you take the time to perform all these necessary checks, the risk of any car parts failing or even a road accident decreases dramatically. With unforgiving weather approaching, take the time now to care for your car so that it can continue to carry you throughout all of your autumn and winter journeys.
However, if the return to routine has already rendered you too busy for some car maintenance, make life simpler for yourself and have a professional do it. At National Tyres, we offer interim, full, and major services to get your vehicle in top shape. You can select a service based on your budget and when your car last received one.
Make the colder months more manageable by preparing early with National Tyres!
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