Don’t let those loonies still going about in shorts and sandals fool you, summer is well and truly over.

The darker mornings and chillier air should have made it clear by now that we’ve reached autumn.

This means two things. One, the big jolly bearded man will soon be checking his list then again shortly after, and two, your pride and joy could probably do with a season-change spruce-up.

So, what can you do to prepare your car for the autumn and everything that comes with it?

Beware the glare

The sun can sometimes be a motorist’s worst nightmare, especially when it’s low in the sky and causing visibility issues.

So to mitigate this, you can give your windscreen a clean, inside and out. This will shift any hazy film that builds up over time and magnifies the glare. Similarly, fix any scratches and chips on the windscreen, as these can intensify the glare too. Keep a pair of sunglasses handy and use the sun visors as a last resort.

Put yourself in the driving seat of cars coming in the opposite direction. If the sun’s behind you, it’s possible they’re wrestling with glare-related problems too, so try to be wary of that.

Old, dried-up wiper blades can also make a mess of your windscreen and the autumn is a decent time to fit some new blades, after the sun has had its wicked way with them for the past few months. At around £15 a pair, they’re an inexpensive and worthwhile measure.

Top up your screenwash fluid. This should last you most, if not all, of the colder months. Finally, if you’re having serious trouble seeing through your car’s windscreen, the only thing to do is safely pull over at the earliest opportunity and take appropriate action.

Battered batteries

The average car battery tends to have a lifespan of roughly five years.

If your battery is struggling now, like failing to fire up the engine at the first or second time of asking, then it’s time to get it replaced.

The winter is only going to make things more difficult when temperatures plummet.

Light check

Most new cars will tell you when a bulb is gone; but just to be sure, it’s worth checking all your bulbs – including brake lights and indicators – are present and correct.

Tyres

The combination of trees discarding their leaves and wetter weather means the roads are much slippier than during previous months, so check your tyres have at least 3mm of tread. If they’re any lower than that, pick up some new tyres to see you through the winter.

While you’re down there, you should check their air pressures too.

Are you covered?

Even after taking all the measures suggested here, the colder months could still sabotage your car, and in the worst cases, you may not be able to reach your destination.

Here’s where a breakdown cover provider really comes in handy and with Performance Direct’s car insurance, with affordable breakdown cover, it can be a real lifesaver.

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