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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.

Fall Tune-Up Checklist

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

Advice, how-to guides, and car care information featured on AutoZone.com and AutoZone Advice & How-To’s are presented as helpful resources for general maintenance and automotive repairs from a general perspective only and should be used at your own risk. Information is accurate and true to the best of AutoZone’s knowledge, however, there may be omissions, errors or mistakes.

Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, an AutoZoner at a store near you, or a licensed, professional mechanic for vehicle-specific repair information. Refer to the service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and tool information for your particular vehicle. Always chock your wheels prior to lifting a vehicle. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. Use caution when working with automotive batteries. Sulfuric acid is caustic and can burn clothing and skin or cause blindness. Always wear gloves and safety glasses and other personal protection equipment, and work in a well-ventilated area. Should electrolyte get on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking soda and water. Do not wear ties or loose clothing when working on your vehicle.

FREE Loan-A-Tool® program requires returnable deposit. Please note that the tool that you receive after placing an online order may be in a used but operable condition due to the nature of the Loan-A-Tool® program.

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