Tips to prepare your car and drive safely in autumn

Before you get on the road and set off for autumn adventures, go through a car check to make sure it can endure the changing weather conditions and you can actually drive without a problem.

While routine car maintenance should be a must-do activity every few months and before longer road trips, it becomes even more vital in autumn. Cooler weather can stress your vehicle’s systems, and the last thing you want is to end up with a broken car when you're in a rush.

Start by checking your battery — freezing temperatures can strain an old battery, so make sure it's charged or substituted with a new one. Then, don't forget to switch to winter tires and inspect their pressure and overall condition for optimal adhesion. This is a good moment to test your breaks, as well.

You should also top up all the fluids, including windshield washer fluid (suitable for lower temperatures), antifreeze, and oil, and replace your wiper blades if you haven't done that for a while — you want good visibility even in heavy rain or blizzard.

Autumn is the start of the school year, which means that streets near schools become busier with kids walking or being dropped off. It's also the end of the vacation season for many, and therefore larger cities may experience increased congestion in the mornings and afternoons.

Because the traffic patterns are changing, make sure you give yourself extra time to get to places and drive more carefully near crosswalks, especially in school zones and residential areas. Also, make use of navigation apps to plan your route and bypass traffic jams. Consider leaving earlier or later to avoid peak rush hours and get safely to your destination in poor weather conditions.

As days become shorter, you'll soon be driving in the dark more frequently. Fog and dusk are also more common, particularly in early mornings and crisp evenings. Driving in such conditions requires extra caution and takes time to get accustomed.

Check your headlights and fog lights to guarantee they work properly when needed. You may even want to do an eye exam to make sure you don't need glasses to drive safely during the darkest time of the year. Finally, if you find yourself in the dark and fog, drive slowly and increase the distance between you and other vehicles to account for longer stopping times.

Rain is a frequent visitor in the second half of autumn, which can result in many puddles and piles of wet leaves. While falling foliage is usually seen as something harmless and nostalgic, it can actually create a road hazard by blocking drainage, hiding potholes, and reducing tractions. Wet leaves may sometimes be more slippery than ice.

Mid-autumn is also normally the time of the first frost. Be cautious in the morning after a freezing night when frost might coat roads, particularly on bridges and shaded areas. Always remove the frost from your windshield, never compromising the visibility.

Given the limited number of sunny days in autumn, it may sound counterintuitive but you should still store sunglasses in your glove compartment. That's because the sun sits lower in the sky during autumn, which makes it more likely to shine directly into your eyes during sunrise and sunset and reduce visibility.

Sunglasses and a sun visor may also be useful when the sun hits the wet road or traffic lights get reflected during the night forming a glare. A clean windshield at all times will likewise improve your view.

Autumn is a busy season for wildlife, especially deer as their breeding season peaks in November. This means you're more likely to encounter them on or near the roads, particularly at dawn and dusk when visibility is already low. Remember that deer travel in groups, so if you see one, a couple more may be ready to cross the road.

Other nocturnal animals like foxes or raccoons also get active during the dark hours, so watch out for them, as well. In general, it's a good practice to reduce your speed when driving through forests or along large fields and use high beams until you enter an urban area.

If an animal does cross the road right in front of you, don't try to swerve as you may lose control of the car. Instead, brake firmly and keep steering straight — the damage will likely be a lot less severe than if you drive into a ditch.  

Autumn is a wonderful time to go on road trips and enjoy the beautiful scenery but it also comes with a fair share of challenges. Following the tips outlined above will prepare you for driving safely during the autumn and winter seasons.

Yet even if you've completed all the steps on your part, accidents may still happen. With casco car insurance you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever the autumn roads throw your way and you won't have to deal with all the damages on your own.

Remember that you also need MTPL insurance, as it is mandatory if you want to participate in road traffic. You can read more about the differences between the two insurance types in our blog CASCO vs MTPL.