Now that the year has progressed and autumn has arrived, you should start considering an overall health check for your vehicle before the winter months are upon us, bringing those colder temperatures and a change in road conditions. Here is a clear list of the essential factors you should assess.
Tyres
Over the summer months, it wouldn’t be uncommon for your tyres to have decreased in pressure. When inflating these back to the correct volume – as stated in your vehicle’s handbook – check for any punctures or tears. With the roads becoming increasingly wet or icy, it is important to observe the tyre tread also, ensuring that your car has grip on the roads throughout the penultimate season. It is important to note that now would not be the correct time to fit your winter tyres. This action will need to be held off until winter is in full force so that the tyres don’t become worn down on ordinary road conditions.
Oil
The oil within your engine plays a vital part in keeping your car running. When the car is out on the roads and reaching optimum internal temperature, the oil acts as a lubricant to all other operating parts of your vehicle, allowing it to run smoothly. By use of the dipstick under the bonnet, observe the levels of oil within your engine before starting a journey or even turning the ignition on. If your car has recently been running, allow the engine to cool before lifting the hood. Ensure that the level of oil is always between the minimum and maximum points on the dipstick.
Lights
As the nights are drawing in and the mornings are becoming darker, it is important to have your headlights, brake lights, reverse lights, fog lights and indicators working fully. Have a friend stand behind your vehicle whilst parked in the darker hours as you test the breaks, reverse lights and indicators, and then ask them to assess the front whilst operating your headlights, fog lights and indicators once again. If one or more of the bulbs fail to operate, get your car booked into a garage as soon as you can and try to keep your vehicle off of the road when sunlight has disappeared.
Windscreen wipers
With the winter weather, your windscreen wipers will need to be prepared for months of rainstorms. The warmer weather of summer can often distort or crack the wipers, so be sure to observe yours this autumn and get them repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Without effective wiper blades, you should keep your car off the road incase an unannounced rainstorm arrives, restricting your view of the road and putting you and other road users at risk.
Fluids
The coolant and brake fluids play a vital part in your car’s health and operation. The coolant acts to keep your engine at the perfect temperatures, whilst the brake fluid ensures that your brakes remain working effectively. If you are unsure of how to check these, it is best to take you car to your local garage and have it checked over professionally.
If you would prefer for a professional autumnal assessment to be carried out on your vehicle this season, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team here at Double Dee Autos where we can give you the confidence to drive safely this winter with a car fit to the standards. Give us a call on 020 8460 3040 or email us at ben@ddautos.co.uk and we will be happy to help you.