The leaves are falling, the air is cooling and before you know it winter will be here. That’s one big reason why October has been designated as Fall Car Care Month. With the weather starting to turn and the upcoming holiday travel season just around the corner, October is the perfect time for drivers to take a moment to make sure their car is ready for the road ahead.

Regular maintenance on your vehicle is important all year long, but it’s even more critical as winter approaches.

Following the simple checklist below, your mechanic should be able to ensure everything is in order for the coming months:

Wipers - Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don’t properly clean your windshield should also be replaced. While proper wiper blade function may not be a problem during the summer, you’ll be glad you had them serviced or changed once snow and sleet start flying.

Battery – Keep connections to the battery clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather is hard on batteries, so it’s wise to check the battery and charging system.

Heater, Defrosters and Wiper Blades – Check that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are working properly as heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting. Fall is also a great time to check your air filters. A clean air filter can even help increase your gas mileage.

Tires – Check the tires, including the tire pressure and tread depth. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. When replacing tires, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads.

Brakes – Brakes are critical to vehicle safety. Have the brake system checked, including brake lines, pads, and rotors.

At Christian Brothers Automotive, our Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technicians are happy to look over your vehicle at no charge. A fall check-up is thorough and helps you identify items that need to be addressed before the snow flies.