Seasonal Motoring Tips - Autumn

The Summer's gone and it's time to prepare for the change in the seasons once again. Some careful preparation and a few simple checks carried out now can save money and reduce the risk of breakdowns in the coming months. The good old British Autumn often brings floods as well as the first frosts, plenty of greasy wet roads and of course fog, so here is an Autumn checklist.

Wiper Blade Check
There's a lot to be said for the old rule "change your clocks, change your wiper blades", so as the clocks go back, time to check and change. The chances are that your wipers have had little or no use during the past few months and exposure to sun and wind speeds up the deterioration of rubber blades.

Replacing them now means that you can drive with confidence during the rain, snow and ice that we are guaranteed to get. Some symptoms of worn wipers are:

• Split Rubber. Cracked and split rubber caused by prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays
• Streaking. Blurry vision caused by dry or dirty rubber blades
• Chattering. Skipping of the blade caused by the permanent set or curve in the rubber of old blades
• Worn Rubber. Rounding of the wiping edge caused by extended use
• Bent Wiper Frame. Bent or broken wiper blade frames can be caused by vandalism or automatic car washes

If any of these symptoms are found when you check your blades, then it's time to replace them. As a general rule "change your clocks, change your wiper blades".

Coolant and Screen Wash Checks
Your cooling system has been working hard throughout the Summer and will carry on through the Autumn and Winter if you carry out a little bit of routine maintenance.

Check your coolant at least once a week and check the anti-freeze content of your coolant. This can be done using a hydrometer, which checks the specific gravity of the coolant and will indicate how much anti-freeze protection you have. If you are unsure, call into your local Unipart Car Care Centre and we will be happy to check it for you, Many cars today have a coolant (antifreeze) mix for the Autumn/Winter and a different one for the warmer months, check your handbook to find out or if you have any doubts call into your local Unipart Car Care Centre.

• Check the coolant levels in the radiator or in the radiator's plastic header tank (not whilst the engine is hot and the system is pressurised)
• Check the condition of the hoses leading to the radiator and header tank. Hoses can easily be checked for deterioration, corrosion, cracking, bulging and other signs of wear

Clean any dirt, bugs and leaves from the front of the radiator with a brush and garden hose. Replace the radiator filler cap if the rubber gasket is damaged. Check screen wash levels and use a winter mix, which will help prevent freezing. Keep a plastic bottle of water and screen wash in the boot just in case you run out mid journey. It's also worth remembering to de-ice wiper blades that are frozen by ice and snow to prevent them splitting or straining the wiper motor.

Lights
Always keep your exterior lights clean and check them for damage. Check they are working, and don't forget your rear fog lights. Lenses must be complete and free from cracks and damage. Remember the old saying, "be seen, be safe". Always keep spare bulbs in the car with a cloth to clean lenses.

Belts and Hoses Check
Exposure to heat, vibration and contamination makes belts and hoses wear out faster than any other components, regular inspections are very important particularly in the lead up to Winter. Here are some areas to check.

Hose connections

• Are they soft? Are the hose clamps secure?
• Check the hose condition for brittleness and bulging
• Check the condition of the hose clips
• If in doubt- replace

Drive belts

• Are they glazed or showing signs of internal rust or corrosion?
• Check the overall condition for cracks, fraying and security of the mountings
• Check the tension in accordance to your handbook

Pressure cap & water pump

• Check the valve and spring on the pressure cap for seizing and corrosion
• Check the seal condition on the pressure cap is it a tight fit?

Have the system pressure tested; most Unipart Care Care Centres have pressure-testing equipment.

Battery
Cold starting puts a lot of strain on the battery because as oil gets cold it becomes very thick and turning the engine over becomes more difficult. To check your battery (Click here for Weekly Checks).

If your car remains unused for more than a few days during a spell of cold weather, it may be necessary to charge it up using a suitable battery charger. A battery's inability to hold a charge for more than a few days usually indicates a faulty cell and the need for replacement.

• Check terminals for corrosion - Terminals and connectors should be clean and smeared regularly with petroleum jelly, not grease, to prevent corrosion.
• Check electrical output on dashboard - Check your charging light before and after starting the engine, listen for a weak battery and carry spare fuses.

Driving in Fog, Rain and Flood Conditions
Severe rainfall and flooding have become the norm over the past few years and it's easy to get "caught out in the rain"! The following guide should be helpful with a few hints and tips to bad weather driving.

Remember:

• Do not drive unless your journey is absolutely necessary
• Do not attempt to drive through water if you are unsure of the depth
• Other than potential damage to your vehicle, many vehicles require only two feet of water before they float!

If you have to drive through a flood, try to drive in the highest section of the road if it is safe to do so and drive only fast enough to create a small bow wave in front of the vehicle. Never drive through floodwater if another vehicle is travelling in the opposite direction and test your brakes thoroughly after leaving the flood water.

Stopping on a wet road can take up to four times the normal distance on a dry road

Keep an eye out for wet leaves on the road, especially at junctions, under trees and on bends even in the dry. Leaves retain moisture and can create a very slippery surface in the dry.

When driving in fog always use dipped headlights. Remember to reduce your speed and to drive a safe distance from the car in front of you (seeing the tail-lights of the car in front is clearly a sign of being too close). Also give yourself plenty of extra time for your journey - you don't want to be rushing when visibility isn't the best.

Tyres
Tyres must be checked regularly, especially in Autumn as extra grip is often needed in greasy, wet and icy conditions (Click here for our Tyre Guide). It is also a wise idea to check your wheel brace, jack and lock nut key (if lock nuts are fitted) for operation and to refresh your memory on how to change a wheel.

Essential Safety Items
If conditions are severe it is wise to pack some additional safety items before you depart. Here's a checklist for Autumn and Winter motoring.

• A good quality torch and spare batteries
• Jump leads
• A tow rope
• Mobile 'phone
• Good maps
• First Aid Kit
• A warning triangle
• Fire extinguisher
• Spare bulbs
• Spare fuel in an approved container
• De-icer
• Spare screen wash and water
• Ice Scraper
• Chocolate or high energy food
• Blanket
• Towel
• Flask of tea or coffee