Essential Tips for Autumn Motoring

Essential Advice for Drivers in Autumn

As we move into Autumn, the new season brings its own set of challenges for motorists. Of course, many of these topics make common sense all year round, but our essential tips for Autumn motoring nonetheless include useful advice for drivers and hints on vehicle maintenance and preparation to help ensure safe and enjoyable driving in Autumn.

Autumn Driving Tips

Slow down

With the deterioration of weather in Autumn, driving conditions become more challenging, so it’s critical to adjust your driving accordingly. Slowing down to take account of wet or foggy weather and slippery roads caused by fallen leaves is one of the most important adjustments to make.

Increase following distance

Wetter weather and slippery conditions mean longer braking distances. Drivers should therefore adjust their following distance to allow more space to the vehicle ahead.

Low sun

Glare or dazzle caused by low sun early or late on Autumn days can be a particular hazard of the season. To beat this, the AA recommends using your vehicle’s sun visors and having sunglasses handy, and making sure your windscreen is clean and free of chips or scratches and your wiper blades are in good order. Be aware that low sun can affect other drivers around you, so make allowance for impaired vision for fellow drivers in these conditions.

Fog and frost

Take care in foggy weather when deploying headlights, as the high beam can dazzle other motorists. Using a dipped beam is recommended and can be more effective, as it illuminates the road rather than creating bright clouds of fog. Frost starts to creep in at this time, and can be associated with foggy conditions, so make sure your windows are clear and fully defrosted before setting off. The risk of black ice should be in the motorist’s mind in Autumn, especially on cold mornings and evenings.

Take care for wildlife

On rural roads in particular, wildlife (such as deer) crossing a carriageway is a potential hazard, so increased vigilance at dawn or dusk is essential.

Stay attentive

Practising good basic driving techniques such as keeping your hands on the wheel, reducing distractions and being mindful of changing conditions is essential – Autumn driving demands the motorist’s full attention.

Autumn Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance Tips

Check your vehicle’s tyres

Make sure your vehicle’s tyres are properly inflated and have a safe, legal depth of tread to ensure they cope with the colder, wetter weather. It is a good time to replace tyres which are beginning to show wear. You can book a tyre replacement online with a reputable local garage, such as our service team here at Dowleys, or contact us for no-obligation advice on tyres for autumn and winter.

Inspect lights

Ensure you can see and be seen by checking all the lights on your car – headlights, taillights, indicators and fog lights where available. Replace any damaged lights or bulbs so that you drive with optimum vision in dull days and dark nights.

Clean windows

Clean your vehicle’s windows regularly to improve visibility and reduce glare. Have any scratches or chips repaired as these can worsen glare.

Top up fluids

Keep your washer fluid topped up so you can keep your windows clear on the road. A concentrated antifreeze for windscreens or ready-mix screen wash fluid with antifreeze can be most useful as the weather becomes colder and frost more common.

Test brakes

Fully test your brakes to ensure they are working properly for Autumn road conditions, and if necessary or unsure, have a professional test carried out and/or a full vehicle service conducted. Contact us at Dowleys for more information.

Test wipers

Ensure your vehicle’s wiper blades are working correctly and fully clearing the screen. Replace worn wiper blades as poor wiper performance can seriously impede visibility and become a distraction to a driver.

Check battery

Colder weather will reduce battery performance, so it’s important to ensure your battery is in good working order before setting off and becoming stuck in bad weather with a flat battery. Authoritative sources such as the AA and RAC suggest that batteries can last 4-5 years, so if your vehicle's battery is in that age range, Autumn is a good chance to get your battery checked and a new battery installed if necessary before Winter weather sets in.