How to Care for Your Car this Fall
It's nice out. Time to give your car some love. Knock out this short checklist and your vehicle will be better prepared to get you through the winter.
Suggested AutoZone Products
Fall Tune-Up Checklist
1. Replace Windshield Wipers
Wiper blades go bad due to UV exposure, and the summertime is certainly good for that. In the fall and winter months, you’re dealing with more rain, along with snow and ice if you’re from “up north”. This is when you need your wipers the most, and it’s much better to change them now than in the middle of a snowstorm in January. Stop by AutoZone for a new set!
2. Top Off or Change Out Your Washer Fluid
Yes, there is in many cases a summertime and wintertime washer fluid. If you use products known as Bug Wash or a “20 degrees and above” washer fluid in the summer, and you’re anywhere geographically where temps are going to get below 20 degrees, you’ll want to get that summer fluid out of the tank and replace with De-icer or washer fluid designed for extreme temps. Not doing so, and you risk your entire washer fluid tank freezing, and even cracking, which is very inconvenient in the middle of a snow storm. Check the washer fluid level as well. If left unchecked, you may end up with an iced over or dirty windshield while driving which puts you in a dangerous situation. Visit your local AutoZone store for more details.
3. Check Your Battery
Cold weather makes your battery work harder to start your car, and the coldest of days can completely kill a battery, leaving you stranded. Make sure your battery is in top shape to avoid a problem when the temperatures drop. AutoZone will test your battery for free. Simply drive your vehicle or bring your battery to your local AutoZone store and we will test for free.
4. Change Your Oil and Filter
It’s not just the battery that works overtime in cold weather. Low temperatures make oil thicker, and having good, clean oil going into the winter months certainly helps avoid long-term wear on your engine.
5. Check and Change Your Coolant
Coolant, or antifreeze, helps remove excess heat from your engine so the engine maintains a stable temperature. It also makes sure your cooling system doesn’t completely freeze in the wintertime. It’s recommended to flush and fill the system every 60 months in most vehicles, and at a minimum, you should check to make sure your antifreeze’s mix is proper for freeze protection. You can check this easily with a Peak Antifreeze tester, Part Number PKFOAB. Whether checking, flushing, or adding coolant, AutoZone has everything you need to protect your cooling system.
Fix It With Factory OEM Repair Information
If you’re looking at doing a more complicated job, or just learning about your car, you may want repair diagrams and information. Get factory-accurate OEM repair info with ALLDATA’s single-vehicle subscriptions.
Need help with any of your fall car projects? Seek out one of our preferred shops in your area to help you in what you need!
