As the weather changes with the fall season, so does your car's needs. Prepping a vehicle for cooler temperatures and wet conditions is key to keeping it in top shape. A proper seasonal maintenance routine covers everything from fluid checks to accessory updates, ensuring you're ready for whatever the season throws your way. Follow this essential car maintenance checklist to make your seasonal upkeep simple and effective, including product recommendations to help you along the way.
With a little attention, you can buckle up for autumn and ensure your vehicle stays in peak condition.
Why Fall Maintenance Matters
After a long, hot summer spent chasing road trips and vacations, your vehicle is probably overdue for some end-of-season TLC. Even without the challenges of autumn’s cooling temperatures, it's important to address the wear and tear from all those miles. With changing weather comes worsening road conditions and reduced visibility, so preparation is key. Running through a maintenance checklist is the best way to ensure car stays safe, reliable, and comfortable by preventing breakdowns and preparing for emergencies.
Follow this checklist to get your car ready for fall and avoid seasonal surprises.
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Test and Maintain Your Battery
Shifting from summer’s sustained heat to autumn’s fluctuating temperatures can be hard on your car’s battery, reducing its efficiency and impacting overall performance. Now is the best time to test its health and give it a quick cleanup if needed.
An electronic battery tester will measure and monitor the battery’s voltage and current, helping you to diagnose any potential issues. You can usually pick up one of these handheld accessories for under $50, or invest a little more for a unit that also includes charging capability. Keep in mind that many parts stores and service centers will often perform battery tests free of charge.
Corrosion is another issue to watch for, as it naturally builds up over time. Follow our step-by-step guide to clean your battery and consider using an anti-corrosion treatment to protect the connections.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that all car batteries have a shelf life, so check the expiration date label on yours. If it’s nearing the end of its lifespan, consider replacing it with a reliable option from Parts Via from brands like Optima or Odyssey to avoid getting stranded.
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Inspect and Replace Air Filters
Your car’s air filters are a crucial wear item that should be inspected often and replaced when necessary. If a filter gets clogged up with dust, dirt, debris, and everything else flying around, it can starve or restrict airflow, which is detrimental to engine efficiency.
Checking the filters is a quick and easy little maintenance task to perform—and it’s pretty wild to open one up and see how much junk can accumulate! When it’s time to replace, turn to a quality brand like Fram, K&N, or Pro-Tec to ensure your engine can breathe easy.
Don’t forget about your cabin’s air filter, too. In addition to preventing dust and debris from entering your car’s interior, a fresh filter can significantly improve your vehicle's heating system efficiency. Better yet, these are incredibly easy to replace, so even DIY newbies can check this one off the maintenance list.
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Change Oil and Check Fluids
Your engine worked hard during those summer months and, with colder weather coming, it’s time to give it a fresh start. Servicing your vehicle with fresh oils and lubricants is a critical bit of seasonal car maintenance. New oil not only improves engine performance but also protects against wear by creating a new layer of lubricating viscosity. Valvoline offers high-quality oils that are perfect for seasonal changes. And don’t forget—every oil service deserves a new oil filter.
Additionally, now is the perfect time to check and top off other essential fluids, including transmission, brake, and power steering fluids. Brands like Lucas Oil can help you find effective products to service these critical vehicle components.
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Prepare Your Fuel System
Over time, deposits can build up in your fuel system, which is why adding a cleaning treatment every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is useful for keeping things running smoothly. Seasonal shifts are a great reminder to add this task to your car maintenance checklist.
As temperatures drop, moisture can accumulate in the fuel system too, leading to more serious issues. You may want to consider performing a fuel system flush—we recommend using a kit, as it can simplify the process. If you live in a region where temperatures dip significantly, adding a fuel line antifreeze can provide extra protection against freezing fuel lines.
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Check Tire Tread and Pressure
Tires are your car’s connection to the road, and as autumn brings rain and wet leaves, good tire tread is so important for maintaining traction. Performing the penny test to check your tire tread depth is a fair start, but we recommend picking up a tire tread depth gauge to get a precise measurement. A good rule of thumb is to replace a tire once the tread depth reaches 4/32nds of an inch.
Cooler weather also causes tire pressure to drop, so be sure to check yours and adjust it regularly. If your vehicle doesn’t come equipped with build-in pressure monitoring, pick up a tire pressure gauge to keep in the glove box. Properly inflated tires not only improve overall vehicle safety, but also your fuel efficiency.
Lastly, don’t rule out winter tires this season—especially if you live in any area that expects to see heavy snowfall.
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Protect the Undercarriage
As autumn’s rainfall turns to winter’s slush, snow, and corrosive road salt, your car’s undercarriage is exposed to ever-harsher conditions. While most modern vehicles come with a factory protective coating, it wears down over time. Now is a good time to inspect the underside of your vehicle for any signs of rust or damage and address any trouble areas. A product like Fluid Film can help protect against corrosion by forming a barrier that repels moisture and salt, keeping your undercarriage safe from the elements.
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Prepare an Emergency Kit
Fall weather is unpredictable, so being prepared for any situation is essential for both comfort and safety. Start by stocking your vehicle with an emergency kit that includes a first aid kit, jumper cables, and emergency flares—this is just the bare minimum. We recommend enhancing your emergency supply with additional seasonal items as part of your car maintenance checklist.
Consider adding traction aids, like tire chains or traction mats, to help you get unstuck in muddy or snowy conditions. Blankets, dry clothes, a spare pair of boots, and extra food and water are always wise to have on hand when temperatures start dropping. We also recommend upgrading those jumper cables to a portable jump starter, so you don’t have to rely on a Good Samaritan to get you out of a jam.
Invest in Your Vehicle's Longevity with Parts Via
Remember, fall car maintenance is essential for preventing bigger issues down the road. Whether it’s checking your battery, changing your oil, or weatherproofing your undercarriage, each step is an investment in your vehicle’s longevity and safety.
By following this seasonal car maintenance checklist, you’re preparing your vehicle for the upcoming months and keeping it in optimal condition. For all your maintenance needs, Parts Via has you covered!