Is your car ready for Fall?
By: Luke Shaff & Team ~
10/16/2025
Just like the summertime in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll need to get your car ready for the fall weather. As the leaves start to turn and pumpkin spice everything takes over the world, here are some tips on how to move your car from summer mode to fall-ready:
- Clean out your car and get one last carwash.
It might seem silly at first, but having a fresh start with a fresh season—especially after the chaos of summer—might make you feel just a little bit better. Bonus points if you find that missing water bottle from July.
- Clean and Treat Door Seals (Weatherstripping Check)
Why it matters: As temperatures drop, the rubber seals around your car doors can stiffen, crack, or even freeze shut. A quick wipe-down and treatment with a silicone-based lubricant can prevent freezing and keep your doors sealing properly against cold air and moisture.
Bonus: It also helps cut down on annoying wind noise during highway driving.
- You checked your AC for the summer - but now it’s time to test your heater
before the colder weather sneaks up on you. Nothing worse than realizing your heater’s broken during your first foggy, 45-degree morning commute.
- Just like summertime heat can damage your hoses and belts, so can the cold.
Take a few minutes to check for cracks or wear and tear—because no one wants to be stranded with a broken belt when it’s raining sideways.
- Check for Mouse Nests or Critter Hiding Spots
Why it matters: As the weather cools down, rodents start looking for warm places to hide—and your engine bay or cabin air filter compartment is prime real estate. A quick visual inspection can save you from chewed wires or nasty surprises.
Bonus: Stick a dryer sheet in the engine bay (carefully placed, of course)—some say it helps deter them.
- If you don’t have rubber mats in your car, now’s the time to consider them.
Fallen leaves, mud, and mystery puddles have a sneaky way of turning your floorboards into a swamp. Rubber mats = sanity savers.
- Double check all of your lights (tail lights, headlights, fog lights, high beams—you name it).
With daylight disappearing faster than your motivation after lunch, you'll want to make sure you can see and be seen on the road.
- Check the condition of your battery.
Even if it was good a few months ago, cold weather can be hard on car batteries. Give it a quick test or inspection so you’re not left asking a stranger for a jump in the middle of a downpour.
- Inspect Cabin Air Filter (Fall Allergy Edition)
Why it matters: Fall allergens like mold spores and decaying leaves can sneak in through your HVAC system. A clean cabin air filter not only improves air quality but also helps your defroster work better—crucial when dealing with foggy windows on chilly mornings.
Bonus: It takes less than 10 minutes in most cars, and you'll actually smell the difference.
- Start prepping a winter kit in your car.
It's better to start early than to be that person frantically buying hand warmers and kitty litter the morning of the first freeze. A few essentials now = less panic later.
- Check your tire pressure and tread.
Cooler temps can cause your tire pressure to drop like your enthusiasm for yard work. Proper pressure and good tread are key for handling wet leaves and slick roads like a pro.
- Top off your windshield washer fluid
and consider switching to the winter blend. Fall is beautiful, but it's also basically “mud splatter and bug guts on your windshield” season. Give your wipers something to work with.
- Update Your Emergency Contact Info in Your Glovebox
Why it matters: If anything happens on the road and you can’t communicate, having updated emergency contacts and any essential medical info in your glovebox could be a lifesaver. This is a small, thoughtful step that often gets overlooked.
Bonus: Include a copy of your insurance and registration in a waterproof pouch while you're at it.
Keeping your car up to date is super important. If you haven’t driven your car much over the last few months, make sure to check these things before heading out on any long trips.
And don’t forget to enjoy some fall fun while you're at it—apple picking, corn mazes, or just driving around with the heat on and your favorite cozy playlist. Happy Fall!
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Luke Shaff
