Why autumn is the best maintenance window

Autumn sits in a sweet spot between the heat that stresses a vehicle all summer and the cold that exposes every weakness in winter. It is the calmest time to catch up on the maintenance you may have put off.

Use the mild weather to handle fluids. Check engine oil condition, top off what is low, and have brake and transmission fluid inspected on your manufacturer's schedule while it is comfortable to be under the hood.

Fall is also leaf season, which means clogged drains and air intakes if you park under trees. Clear debris from the cowl at the base of the windshield so water drains where it should.

Finally, think ahead to winter. Anything you fix now, from a marginal battery to worn wipers, is one less thing to deal with on a freezing morning.