Watching falling leaves is by far one of the beauties of Autumn. But a mix of humidity, rainy weather, and autumn winds promise to scatter wet leaves over the road disguising potholes and other driving dangers.
Four tips to help you prepare your vehicle and avoid the risks:
Seasonal Check-up
1. Start with a seasonal check-up. Brake pads and rotors go through normal wear and tear and have to be checked regularly for on the road safety. But did you know that leaves get blown into tailpipes without notice or can get stuck in tire treads and wheels. It's not too early to contact your trusted service center for a tire check, oil change, and underbody check.
Clean Start
2. Take a few minutes to clear your mirrors, wheels, tires, and windshield of frost, dirt and debris before your morning commute. Cooler temperatures bring morning frost and fog that can cause limited visibility if not properly cleaned. Tires and wheels accumulate leaves, dust, and other debris from daily commutes. Be sure to keep a scraper, squeegee, towels, and tire brush handy.
Safe Commute
3. Avoid driving onto open roads covered with leaves. It's difficult to determine what lies beneath, like potholes, and more opportunity for sliding. If sliding is unavoidable, always steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. Don't be too quick to accelerate or brake. Both can cause the vehicle to spin.
Confident Driving
4. Increase your driving confidence by learning about your vehicle's safety features. Review your vehicle's operation manual to learn more about your car's anti-lock brake and electronic traction control systems. Antilock brake systems (ABS) and Traction Control Systems (TCS) can detect brake locking or wheel spinning. Having a better understanding gives you a better chance of maintaining control of your vehicle at critical times.