Shorter days, wet roads and chilly mornings can make autumn a testing time for your car. Rain and fallen leaves can affect visibility, while colder weather may bring existing faults to light.
A few regular checks could help you spot problems early and keep your car in good condition. From checking your tyres to clearing misty windows, these autumn car care tips cover the main things to watch.
Why car care in autumn matters
Your car needs care throughout the year, but autumn is a useful time to check it before winter arrives. You may start using your lights, wipers and heater more often, so faults that went unnoticed in summer can become more of a problem.
Keeping up with car maintenance could help you spot wear before it leads to a breakdown. It also gives you time to plan for work your car may need.
1. Remove fallen leaves from your car
If you park near trees, leaves can gather on your windscreen, around the wipers and in gaps near the bonnet. Clear them regularly so they do not block your view or get caught under the wiper blades.
Take care when removing leaves from painted surfaces. Lift loose leaves by hand or rinse them away, rather than rubbing dirt and grit across the paint.
- Remove leaves from the windscreen before switching on your wipers.
- Check the area at the base of the windscreen for trapped leaves.
- Keep accessible drainage channels clear, following your car’s handbook.
- Ask a garage for help if debris is trapped somewhere you cannot safely reach.
If you notice damp carpets or water collecting inside the car, have the cause checked. Clearing visible leaves may not solve an existing leak or blocked drain.
2. Check your tyres before wet weather
Tyres deserve attention throughout the year, especially as autumn brings more wet journeys. Check for cuts, bulges and uneven wear, as well as the depth of the tread.
For cars, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its full circumference. The GOV.UK vehicle safety guidance explains these requirements.
Tyre pressure matters too. Use the pressure listed in your handbook or on the car’s label, which is often inside a door opening or the fuel flap. The correct setting may change when you carry more passengers or luggage.
Knowing how to check tyre pressure makes this a straightforward part of your routine. Check tyres when they are cold, and have any repeated loss of pressure investigated.
3. Keep windows clear of mist and glare
Condensation forms when moist air meets cold glass. Wet coats, shoes and umbrellas can bring moisture into the car, making misty windows more common in autumn.
Clear your windows fully before setting off. Use your car’s demist setting and follow the handbook for the best combination of fan, heat and air conditioning.
- Use air conditioning, if fitted, to help remove moisture from the air.
- Select fresh air rather than recirculating damp air inside the car.
- Use the heated rear window and heated mirrors where fitted.
- Remove wet items when you finish your journey.
- Keep the inside of the glass clean with a suitable cleaner.
Low autumn sun can make marks and smears harder to see through. Clean glass and a well-positioned sun visor can help with glare. The Highway Code requires windows and windscreens to be kept clear of anything that obstructs your view.
4. Check wipers and top up screen wash
Rain, road spray and dirt can quickly cover your windscreen. If your wipers leave streaks, judder or miss patches of glass, check the blades for dirt and wear.
A gentle clean may help if the blades are dirty. Split, cracked or worn rubber will usually need replacing. Remember the rear wiper if your car has one.
- Choose screen wash suitable for the temperatures you expect.
- Follow the product instructions if it needs diluting.
- Check that washer jets spray onto the glass properly.
- Free frozen blades and clear ice before using the wipers.
Avoid using washing-up liquid in the washer bottle. Use a product made for car windscreens and check your handbook if you are unsure where to fill it.
5. Make sure your lights work properly
Dark mornings and earlier sunsets mean you may rely on your lights more often. Walk around the car to check the headlights, rear lights, indicators and number plate lights. Ask someone to help check the brake lights.
Clean dirt from the lenses and arrange a repair if a light is faulty. Your handbook may explain how to replace a bulb, but some light units need a garage to work on them.
If your car has automatic lights, check how they work. Do not assume daytime running lights also switch on the rear lights, or that automatic headlights will respond to every patch of fog or heavy rain.
6. Look out for battery problems
A battery that struggled through summer may become less reliable as the weather cools. Slow engine cranking or repeated trouble starting the car can be signs that something needs checking.
A garage can test the battery and charging system. This helps identify the cause before you pay for a replacement that may not solve the problem.
The AA’s autumn driving guidance highlights battery checks as part of preparing for colder weather. Follow your handbook before charging or jump-starting a car, as the correct method can vary.
7. Check engine oil and coolant
Your handbook explains which fluids your car needs, how to check them and when to top them up. Use the correct grade of oil and type of coolant for your vehicle.
Park on level ground and follow the instructions for checking the oil level. Some cars use a dipstick, while others show the level on a dashboard display.
Only check or top up coolant when the engine is cold. Never open a hot coolant reservoir, as hot fluid and steam can cause burns. Avoid mixing coolant types unless the manufacturer confirms they are suitable.
If a fluid level keeps dropping, or you spot a leak, have it checked. Repeatedly topping up may hide a fault that needs repair.
8. Keep up with servicing and MOT checks
Autumn is a useful time to check when your next service and MOT are due. Booking ahead could make it easier to fit the work around your usual journeys.
The timing of regular car servicing depends on your vehicle, mileage and service schedule. Filters, fluids and other parts need attention at the intervals set by the manufacturer.
A service and an MOT have different purposes. Understanding what happens during an MOT can help you prepare, but a valid certificate does not replace ongoing maintenance.
Arrange a check if you notice a new noise, warning light or change in how the brakes or steering feel. Follow any urgent instructions in the handbook.
9. Prepare for wet and windy journeys
Looking after your car is only part of autumn preparation. The weather can change during a journey, so leave time to check the forecast and clear your windows before setting off.
The Highway Code’s wet-weather guidance states that stopping distances will be at least double those needed on dry roads. Leave more space behind the vehicle ahead and adjust your speed to the conditions.
Take care on bends covered with wet leaves and on exposed roads in strong winds. Avoid driving through floodwater, where the depth and condition of the road may be hard to judge.
As temperatures fall later in the season, preparing for winter driving can help you plan for frost and ice too.
10. Pack a few essentials for a breakdown
A small kit can make an unexpected delay easier to manage. Choose items that suit your usual journeys and the people travelling with you.
- A torch and spare batteries.
- A warm coat, waterproof layer and blanket.
- Drinking water and snacks that keep well.
- A charged power bank and suitable phone cable.
- A first aid kit.
- An ice scraper and de-icer for colder mornings.
Keep your breakdown provider’s details somewhere easy to find. Check what your cover includes, especially if you rely on the car for longer trips. Store items securely so they cannot roll around or get in the way of the pedals.
11. Plan for autumn car costs
Screen wash and new wiper blades can add to your usual car costs. Making a list of work your car may need could help you plan what to spend.
If your car needs a few repairs, ask the garage for a price for each job. Ask which faults need to be fixed first so you know what cannot wait.
Looking after your car and making small changes to how you drive may help reduce fuel costs. How much you could save will depend on your car and the trips you make.
Thinking about a different car this autumn?
If you want to change your car, there is more to think about than the price. You will also need to allow for fuel, insurance and repairs, plus any monthly finance payments.
Go Car Credit is a direct lender. We offer Hire Purchase car finance, which lets you spread the cost of a car over an agreed term.
You may be able to get car finance with bad credit. We look at your credit history, income and spending to check if the payments could be affordable for you. Not all applications are approved.
Our car finance calculator gives you an idea of what you might pay each month. It uses the amount you choose, how long you want to pay it back and the rates shown. The results are a guide, not a quote or an offer of finance.
MoneyHelper has free, impartial information on ways to pay for a car. Our car and finance resources also cover car care, running costs and how finance works.
