Autumn Car Care

Exposed to leaves, sap, salt and sand, your vehicles paint will take a lot of abuse in the fall and winter months. A paint sealant, or at least a good coat of wax, is a good idea in the fall while it's still warm enough to apply. This forms a barrier to make sure that your paint still looks top-notch in the spring. If you can't afford the time to apply it yourself, check out the yellow pages in your phone book for a detail shop to do the job for you.


Also, keep your bling fresh for spring with a little PAM cooking spray. It stands up to extremes of temperature and forms a non-stick coating which you can safely apply to your wheels and wash off when the warm weather returns. A few coats will last all winter long- just spray lightly over your rims but avoid the brake parts underneath.

If you haven't got the time to prioritize your vehicle's maintenance need for the upcoming cold months, simply pay your favorite mechanic or dealership a visit. Most will offer maintenance packages to take care of your vehicle and offer peace of mind for family travels. In addition to performing maintenance which your vehicle needs anyhow, such packages also allow the dealer mechanic to get up close and personal with parts of your ride you'll probably never check yourself. After all, your dealership and mechanic know your car best.

A standard cold-weather maintenance package will include the following:

• check wiper blades to ensure they will clear properly in bad weather
• test the charging system to ensure that your vehicle will always start when needed
• test block heater function
• check tire pressure as air pressure decreases in cold weather
• change engine oil from 10W30 to a winter weight oil such as 5W30 or even synthetic oil (a thinner oil will allow easier startup)

With a little forward thinking and some help from your vehicle's dealership or your favorite mechanic, you can tackle fall road trips and upcoming winter driving with confidence and peace of mind.
photo:Justin Pritchard