Autumn Car Maintenance Checklist: 10 Essential Checks

You know what those first cold mornings are like. One day it's 20°C outside, the next your windscreen is covered in frost and the engine keeps turning over but won't start straight away. Give your car ten minutes with this autumn car maintenance checklist. I'm telling you because those ten minutes could save you a lot of frustration when the cold weather really sets in.

What are the 10 essential autumn car maintenance checks?

Tyres — check the tread depth and manufacturing date. For winter tyres, I want to see at least 4 mm of tread.
Tyre pressures — they drop as the weather gets colder. Give them a quick check.
Battery — if yours is already more than four or five years old, get it tested now. Don't wait until a freezing morning when the car refuses to start.
Antifreeze — check the level and make sure it can cope with freezing temperatures.
Screenwash — replace your summer screenwash with winter screenwash before temperatures drop below zero.
Wiper blades — if they're leaving streaks across the windscreen, replace them.
Lights — check every single one. Don't forget the rear lights and fog lights.
Ice scraper and snow brush — put them in the car now, not when you wake up to the first frost.
Door seals — give them a proper clean so they don't freeze.
First-aid kit, warning triangle and high-visibility vest — make sure they're all where they should be. They're compulsory in winter too.

Underside inspection of a car at Das Auto Service before winter

What do we check when we get your car on the ramp?

Alongside those ten things, we check the brakes and suspension, look for leaks and inspect the protection underneath the car. That's especially important before they start spreading salt on the roads. We check the antifreeze too. If it's been through three heating seasons, we replace it. Why? Because old antifreeze can cause tiny pits in the aluminium engine block. And believe me, that's not a problem I want you discovering when it's already too late.

Don't top up your screenwash reservoir with water in autumn. I'm telling you this for your own good. When the first freezing temperatures arrive, that water can freeze, burn out the pump or split the hoses. Such a small mistake, but you'll be the one paying for the repair.

When should you fit your winter tyres?

Don't wait for the first snow, my friend. Once temperatures consistently drop below 7°C, summer tyres start losing grip. And you know what happens when the first snow arrives — suddenly everyone remembers they need to change their tyres. Then the tyre shops are packed and the queues start. Save yourself the hassle. Get them changed in good time.

A tip from Kris Mladenov: Treat the rubber door seals with a silicone-based product. It'll stop them freezing, so you won't have to wrestle with the door just to get into your car in the morning.

I want you to have peace of mind throughout winter. So, if you fancy it, come in for an autumn inspection at Das Auto Service. We'll put your car on the ramp, check everything underneath and tell you what would be worth sorting out before the cold arrives. Much better to catch a problem now than have your car leave you stranded at the roadside in the middle of winter.