Your post-summer car check

The days are getting shorter and the evenings are getting darker. It can only mean one thing - summer is coming to an end.

As the weather starts to turn and you settle into your autumn routine, it’s worth checking your car to make sure everything is safe and up to standard.

A few simple checks now could save you from a breakdown - and the repair costs - later on…

Why should you check your car after the summer?

If you've been travelling about and making the most of every moment this summer, you may have put extra strain on your vehicle.

Exceptional heat, long motorway trips and increased mileage all cause wear and tear, no matter how sensibly you drive

Tyres can wear faster on hot surfaces, batteries can be drained over the course of all those little trips you’ve made, and increased air con use can also take its toll.

Damaged tyres and dead batteries are common causes of car breakdowns, but both can be avoided if you spot the sights or take your vehicle for a free safety check at your local garage. Doing this now, before the weather really turns, means you're not scrambling to fix things in the rain and cold.

What to look for in your tyres

Your tyres are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the roads, and hot surfaces plus potholes and cracks in the road may have made an impact. Before summer officially ends (31 August, meteorologically speaking, 22 September, astronomically) you should check the following.

• Tread depth - Do your tyres have the legal minimum depth of 1.6mm? If not, you should rectify this immediately. Aiming for at least 3mm offers an extra level of safety as roads get wetter and grip looser.
• Pressure - Walk around your car and examine each tyre (including the spare, if you have one). The pressure of them can drift as the temperature falls.
• Signs of wear and tear - Does anything look uneven? Tracking or alignment issues can be very dangerous, especially on more slippery surfaces so take your car to the garage if anything makes you feel uncomfortable.

Check your battery health

According to The RAC, car batteries generally tend to last between 3 and 5 years. Typical summer driving habits like regular short journeys, increased use of air con and using phone chargers in the car can all put additional strain on the battery.

If your car seems slow to start or the lights are dim, you should get it tested now. Many garages will offer free battery checks.

Are your lights fully working?

Summer grime and dust can dim your light beam, especially on darker roads. Give these a clean while you check your lights. Driving with a faulty bulb is illegal, so this needs resolving straight away.

Police can issue an on-the-spot fixed penalty (usually £60, plus 3 penalty points) or a rectification notice giving you 14 days to fix it. For serious or repeat offences, magistrates' courts can fine up to £1,000, so it's not worth ignoring.

Before the darker evenings and miserly weather comes, you should check the following:

• Headlights - both dipped and full beam
• Brake lights
• Indicators and hazards
• Fog lights
• Number plate lights

Top up your fluids

You should also give your fluid levels a proper check before the autumn and winter months.

• Check both the level and strength of your coolant and anti-freeze. This protects against overheating in warmer months and freezing in colder months.
• Add a winter-ready screenwash formula rather than plain water.
• Check your engine oil level using your dipstick, as a low level or dirty oil can affect performance and cause long-term damage.
• Brake fluid is essential for safe and responsive braking. Get it checked by a professional if you’re not sure how to do it yourself.

Replace any broken wipers and check your windscreen

If your windscreen wipers squeak, smear or skip, it’s time to replace them. You should also give the windscreen a good clean on the inside and outside. These streaks can turn into glare as the sun gets lower in early autumn, affecting your vision as you drive.

Prepare for shorter days and changeable weather

It’s not just about the vehicle; you may want to look at your own driving habits as well.

If you don’t like driving in the dark, it might be worth easing back into this on some familiar roads to build up confidence before heading further afield.

Keep an eye out for wet leaves on the road. Not only are they slippery but they can also hide potholes and dips. Increase your stopping distance to help keep yourself and other road users safe.

Watch out for the glare from the low autumn sun. Keep a pair of sunglasses to hand and use your visor so that you can see properly.

Always check the forecast. Get into the habit of checking the weather before driving anywhere. Rain, fog and early frosts can happen quite suddenly in the autumn months so it helps to know what you’re driving into.

What to watch out for on the school run

The shops may have been promoting ‘back to school’ since the middle of July but September marks the actual return for the majority of schoolchildren. This means the return of the school run - and all the hazards and penalties that come with it.

Parking penalties outside school gates

Local councils can strictly enforce the parking restrictions around schools. Especially at the yellow zigzag lines that state ‘School Keep Clear’. This means no waiting, no stopping and no parking - even to quickly drop off a passenger. The zigzags are used as cars parked on them will block sightlines for children as they attempt to cross the road.

This fine can normally be reduced if paid within 14 to 21 days. These fines are issued as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) by civil enforcement officers or camera enforcement. This means they won’t add points to your licence.

Remember that parking on a single or double yellow line near a school has the same restrictions as anywhere else. You should also avoid blocking any access routes or parking in front of residents’ driveways.

Engine idling

Leaving your engine running while waiting outside the school gates is against the law and some councils are now issuing fixed penalty notices for idling. Councils are targeting school gates specifically because exhaust fumes at child height are linked to higher risks of asthma and respiratory problems. If you are waiting (in a legal space), make sure you switch your engine off.

What other school run hazards should you watch out for?

• Pedestrian activity - Children (and some parents) may step out between parked cars or swing their door open without looking, especially at busier times.
• Congestion and double-parked cars - We all know roads near schools can get busy. Watch out for other drivers stopping illegally or trying to do sudden manoeuvres.
• Children on bikes or scooters - Give extra space for children who are cycling or scooting to school and prepare for the unexpected.
• Reduced visibility - The mornings will be darker earlier so make sure your lights are on and look out for children and adults wearing reflective clothing.

Don’t forget your emergency kit

As the temperatures get colder, you should prepare for the worst. If your car was to break down in colder weather, you would want the following items in an emergency kit to keep warm and ensure you could contact the relevant authorities:

• Torch
• Blanket
• Gloves
• Phone charger
• Ice scraper
• De-icer
• Water
• Snacks

If you’re borrowing a car or driving with temporary car insurance from Tempcover, you can add RAC Breakdown Cover to your policy.

With 24/7 attempts to repair the fault and assistance at the roadside, plus recovery of you, your passengers and your vehicle if the vehicle can’t be fixed, it will help you get back moving.

Sources

https://www.kwik-fit.com/vehicle-safety-check

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/fixed-penalty-notices

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/guide-to-autumn-driving/

https://pwskipton.co.uk/blog/how-to-get-your-car-autumn-ready-6-essential-checks-before-winter/

https://blog.halfords.com/prepare-for-autumn-5-points-to-have-on-your-motoring-checklist/

https://www.national.co.uk/blog/autumn-car-maintenance-checklist-returning-to-routine

https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/seasonal/autumn

https://www.btp.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/parking-outside-schools/

https://www.merton.gov.uk/streets-parking-transport/parking/pcn/zig-zag

https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/back-to-school-warning-issued-over-car-engine-idling/

https://www.richmond.gov.uk/engine_idling

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/parking/tickets-and-fines/parking-restrictions/parking-restrictions/parking-outside-schools