As the autumn has now settled in for the UK and the temperatures are getting cooler, it’s a good time to think about those basic car maintenance jobs you’ve been putting off. We’ve put together a list of our top tips for maintaining your car in the autumn and keeping you safe during this changing season.
Replace windscreen wiper blades
If you haven’t replaced your windscreen wiper blades for over two years, then now is a good time to seek out some replacements. Now that the clear summer weather has disappeared, autumn will see more rain, dirt on the roads from leaves falling and other debris which will splash on to your windscreen at some point. If your wiper blades are streaking or smearing the muck on your window then your visibility will be hampered. It’s usually a very quick and cheap fix usually taking no longer than 20 minutes to replace and between £20-£50 in cost depending on the type of vehicle and style you’re after. It’s a little expense and effort for peace of mind when driving in autumnal conditions. For further tips on replacing wiper blades follow our tutorial.
Top up screen wash fluid
Now that you’ve got those wiper blades refreshed, it’s sensible to ensure the levels of your screen wash fluid are checked and, if needed, topped up. If you’re struggling to find the screen wash compartment on your car, check out our refilling screen wash tutorial. This type of maintenance is extremely easy to carry out once you’ve done it before and screen wash can be as cheap as a few pounds to buy, so there’s no excuse for not carrying out this task regularly.
Check car battery and replace if necessary
During autumn electrical loads are higher on a car’s battery as we’re using heaters, lights and wipers more often. If you’ve noticed signs recently that the battery is struggling, it’s best to consider getting it replaced sooner rather than later. This job isn’t fun in the depths of winter, neither will you like a breakdown in a remote place – dead batteries are the most common cause of car breakdowns according to the AA. The general rule of thumb is if your car battery is over 5 years old then it’s well due a replacement. Costs vary depending on battery size and type of vehicle but you’re looking at prices starting from £50 upwards. More information on replacing a car battery.
Replace car light bulbs
It won’t be long now until the clocks go back in the UK and that means darker mornings as well as dark nights. Therefore, your car’s lights are extremely important for your visibility on the road and giving you a clear view of what’s in front. If you have any light bulbs which need replacing (this should be done instantly anyway otherwise you risk a fine and penalty points) then now is the time to do so. Take 5 minutes to look around the car with all lights on and checking indicators, headlights, full beams, reverse and brake lights – you may need a friend’s help for the latter to check properly. Lights are relatively inexpensive too, starting from around £5 each bulb and your manufacturer’s handbook will have instructions for replacement, or follow our helpful headlight bulb guide. Otherwise a local garage can help for a minimal fee.
Check tyre tread levels
Being constantly in contact with the road your tyres are pretty much the most important part of your car’s safety. Losing grip due to worn down or faulty car tyres can cause accidents. Make sure you inspect your car’s tyres before every journey if you can or at least every week as it could save your life. You can even follow our helpful guide to check tyre tread depths. Costs can be quite high for new tyres at around £60-70 per tyre for the cheapest but it’s a wise investment for the autumn.
Still struggling with your basic car maintenance?
Whatever you do this autumn on your car, make sure that you check these 5 key basic areas to maintain your car’s health and your safety. If you’re struggling to carry out these tasks or need further advice on your car issues and are local to Bath in the UK, here at MCM Garage we’d be happy to help. Just give us a call on 01761 415 501 or send us an email via our contact form and we’ll get back to you straight away.