Fall in Houston is less about the cold, impending winter approaching at an alarming rate and more about the possibility of severe storms. Prepping your Honda for fall should be an annual habit. If you’re unsure of how to go about making your car autumn-ready, here is a quick guide.
Keep Up With Routine Maintenance
Keeping your Honda operating at an optimal level for an extended period of time means performing routine maintenance at regular intervals. Here are some routine maintenance checks to go along with the arrival of fall.
First, check the oil in your car. In addition to the standard 3000-mile rule, check the oil level between changes to see if the vehicle is maintaining the proper level of motor oil. If it’s already starting to burn off new oil after a couple thousand miles, it could mean some work will be required down the road.
Next, check your wiper blades. There are a few wiper blade performance issues that will indicate it’s time to change your blades. If the blade seems to be skipping areas of the windshield and leaving water behind, it’s time to change the blades. Wiper blades that are squeaky even during significant rain should be replaced soon as skipping is usually not too far behind. In general, you should think about changing your wiper blades every six months or so. If you can’t remember the last time you replaced them, now is probably a good time.
Finally, monitor the tire wear to make sure you have adequate tread. You don’t want to be caught in heavy rains with insignificant tread. Another thing to keep an eye on is how the tread is wearing on the tires. Uneven wear can signify tires that are not rotated frequently enough or an issue with the car’s alignment. While they can be relatively expensive and seem like a bother, routine alignments can save you a lot of money on tires and other vehicle maintenance in the long run.
Outfit Your Honda for Hurricane Season
While Houston doesn’t typically receive a record-breaking amount of severe weather like hurricanes, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re ready when one does make landfall. This includes keeping your car ready for hurricane season.
Keep your car fueled up so if an evacuation is ordered, you don’t need to wait for hours at the pump. Also keep an emergency preparedness kit in your car with things like a radio, flashlights, and first-aid essentials. Having one in your car is a great habit to have year-round in any climate.
Repair Paint Scratches
This tip usually flies under the radar, but it can extend the life of your vehicle. You should regularly repair any paint scratches because otherwise, they will make it easier for rust to form where the metal is directly exposed to the air. Once rust gets in, it’s tough to stop its progress.
It can seem like there are an endless amount of things to do when it comes to routine maintenance and fall preparation, but none of these tasks should take very long. Furthermore, the payoff of safer driving and an extended lifespan for the vehicle are well worth the effort.
Photo by vmiramontes | Licensed under cc BY 2.0
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