October has arrived in Elmhurst and Clarendon Hills, bringing one of the best times of year to live in the Midwest. The leaves are changing, the weekend trips to local apple orchards and pumpkin patches are in full swing, and Friday night football games require an extra layer or two.
But as we pull our sweaters and light jackets out of storage, it’s also time to think about what our vehicles need to transition into the colder months. For most DuPage County drivers, our cars put in a lot of work. From navigating those busy school drop-off lines to chilly early-morning commutes to the Metra station or down I-290, your vehicle needs to be ready for the inevitable shift in Illinois weather.
Before the first frost hits and our schedules get even more packed with upcoming holidays, October is the perfect window for preventive care. Here is what we recommend focusing on this month:
Tread Carefully on Wet, Leaf-Covered Roads
Those beautiful falling leaves can become incredibly slick when it rains. Because your tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the road, they need proper tread depth to grip safely. Also, as morning temperatures drop into the 40s and 30s, your tire pressure drops with them. Low tire pressure affects handling and wears your tires out prematurely, so let’s make sure they are properly inflated and rotated.
Don’t Let the First Freeze Drain Your Battery
A battery that seemed perfectly fine during summer road trips can suddenly struggle when the crisp fall air turns into freezing overnight temperatures. If your battery is getting older or your car has been slow to turn over lately, let us test it. A quick battery check now can save you the massive headache of waiting for a jump-start on a freezing morning.
Seeing Clearly Through Fall Showers
Summer heat is surprisingly brutal on windshield wipers, often leaving the rubber cracked or hardened. If your wipers streak or skip across the glass, replace them now. With the days getting shorter and the sun setting right in the middle of the evening commute, you’ll also want to make sure your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are fully functional so you can see—and be seen—on darker evenings.
Check the Fluids That Keep You Moving
Your vehicle’s fluids are its lifeblood. Getting an oil change is essential, but fall is also the time to check your engine coolant (antifreeze) to ensure it can withstand freezing temperatures. We also recommend topping off with a winter-rated windshield washer fluid so it doesn’t freeze on your glass when you need it most.
Take Care of It Now, Relax Later
After more than 25 years of serving our communities, one of the best pieces of advice we can give is this: Don’t wait for the first snow. Once the weather turns bad, repair shops get incredibly busy with heating problems, dead batteries, and emergency tire replacements.
Let’s get your vehicle ready now so you can spend your weekends enjoying the fall festivals instead of stressing over car trouble. At My Mechanic, we’re here to keep your family rolling safely. Schedule your fall checkup at our Elmhurst or Clarendon Hills location today, and let us handle the rest!
