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Driving in autumn can be a wonderful experience – with crisp amber leaves tumbling down and blackberries growing on the trees – but sometimes, if not properly prepared, autumn driving is less about scenery and more about dangers. Much like any season, autumn brings changes to the weather and therefore creates a different driving environment.
This time of year is renowned for being particularly bad for low sunlight, which can caused impaired vision. To help keep you safe, we’ve thought up a few ideas and solutions that will ensure your windscreen is clean – inside and out, and you’re safe and secure on the roads, because we all know how a hazy film, scratches, chips and abrasions can cause even more difficulty seeing the road properly. Here we go:
Windscreen Wipers
First up is the obvious – windscreen wipers. New windscreen wipers may be all you need to clear your windows properly and reduce dazzle from the sun. You may only be experiencing these problems because your current ones have worn blades. Getting new blades is never a waste of money, as they last up to two years.
Windscreen washing fluid
To reduce the chance of your windscreen fluid freezing, make a small investment in a good quality, purpose made washer fluid. Try not to use ordinary engine anti-freeze and always check your handbook to ensure you fill it up using the right reservoir. Doing so will also help the window clean up better when the windscreen wipers are going.
Antifreeze
It’s not all about the windscreen though, as there are other parts of the car that can be affected negatively due to weather change. A frozen engine is extremely expensive to repair, so there’s always a reason to double check and take care of it using antifreeze, anytime of the year. In summer, your antifreeze will also improve the cooling system. Again, your handbook will provide you with the correct details on what to use for your car.
Battery
One of the most common causes of a breakdown at any time of year is the battery, but this particularly counts in colder seasons when electrical loads are much higher than they usually would be. If you see any sign of your battery struggling, it’s time to get it checked out as this will save you from having to do it after breaking down on the motorway. Renew now to avoid hassle later!
Tyres
It’s always a smart idea to check your tyre conditions before heading off anywhere on a long journey, but in winter you should do it just to ensure the tread depth. If your tread is less than 3mm, then you should think hard about buying new tyres.
Much of this advice counts any time of the year, though it’s always nice to have a reminder to do some housekeeping and ensure our technologies are working the way they should. How do you look after your car in autumn? Are you weather-conscious when it comes to motoring? It’s worth altering your driving and maintenance habits when the seasons roll around!
