5 Ways to Prepare Your Car For Fall

Although saying goodbye to summer is often a sad occasion, it gives you the chance to enjoy pumpkin spice beer and lattes, football season, and wonderful driving weather. It’s also the ideal time to get your car ready for the harsh winter weather that’s just around the corner. While prepping your car in the fall may sometimes require a mechanic, some tasks you can easily do on your own. Make sure to follow these tips before it’s too late.

1. Check Your Coolant

Engine coolant is one of the most important liquids in your vehicle, as it ensures that the engine stays at the proper operating temperature. Although freezing weather doesn’t hamper the Seattle area all that often, it’s in your best interest to flush the coolant in your car and replace it with antifreeze. While you can put water in the radiator, antifreeze ensures that the liquid doesn’t freeze, enabling your car to run with the most reliability.

2. Change Your Wiper Blades

Because you use your windshield wipers more often in the fall and winter, you should replace your blades each fall unless a rip or tear necessitates it beforehand. These parts also take on more grime from the roads, meaning that you need a fresh set to deal with the manmade elements of the season. If you’ve never purchased wiper blades before, most automotive parts stores will help put them on for you at no extra charge. Blades typically run from $10 to $20, so it’s an inexpensive fix that assures your visibility and safety throughout the year.

3. Check Tire Pressure

In the fall and winter, checking your tire pressure becomes even more important, as you need the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) of inflation to help your tires grip the road in adverse weather. Colder weather and changing temperatures also cause the pressure to fluctuate rapidly, so you want to use a tire gauge at least once a month. One helpful feature of Honda vehicles is that they sport a tire pressure monitoring system. Use it to your advantage.

4. Pack an Emergency Kit

In harsh winter weather, the risk of becoming stranded or being involved in an accident is much higher. That’s why it’s important to pack an emergency kit in your trunk. It should contain survival essentials such as non-perishable food, water, blankets, a first-aid kit, and clothes, as well as other items such as motor oil, a flare, jumper cables, a flashlight, and a tool kit. With this in tow, you’ll never have to worry about breaking down and having no way to get back home or back on the road safely.

5. Look at Your Spare

In the event of a tire malfunction, you need a spare to get you to a safe place or a repair shop. The fall provides the perfect time to make sure your spare is in tip-top shape with deep treads and the tire pressure marked on the side.

Don’t get caught out on the road this fall or winter. Instead, follow these simple tips, and you’ll never fret about it again.

*Based on 2016 EPA mileage/highway estimates and driving range ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe/MPG and driving range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-PHEV-label.shtml

*MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $835.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary

Photos by State Farm