September is National Preparedness Month - How Can You Prepare Your Vehicle?
September is National Preparedness Month - How Can You Prepare Your Vehicle?
September is National Preparedness Month, a good reminder to prepare for emergencies before they happen. You may already have plans for power outages, severe weather, or other emergencies at home, but what about your vehicle?
Your vehicle needs to be prepared, too. A breakdown is inconvenient on a pleasant September afternoon. It becomes a much bigger problem when you're stranded on a dark road in freezing rain wondering why you didn't replace that questionable battery when you had the chance.
Schedule a Fall Checkup
As colder weather approaches, consider having a qualified mechanic inspect your vehicle. Even if everything seems to be working normally, an inspection may uncover problems before cold temperatures make them worse.
Ask your mechanic to check important items such as the battery and charging system, brakes, tires, belts, hoses, lights, windshield wipers, and fluid levels. Your cooling system also deserves attention. Coolant doesn't just help prevent an engine from overheating—it also provides freeze protection when temperatures drop.
Check your tires as well. Make sure they have adequate tread and are inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Tire pressure can decrease as outdoor temperatures fall, so continue checking it throughout the colder months.
Give Your Vehicle Some Annual Attention
September can also be a convenient time for some annual vehicle care. For example, waxing the vehicle can add a layer of protection to the paint before months of rain, snow, road salt, grime, and other contaminants.
If you live in an area where road salt or deicing chemicals are commonly used, periodically washing the undercarriage during the winter can help remove corrosive material.
This is also a good time to replace worn wiper blades, clean exterior lights, and make sure your windshield-washer reservoir contains washer fluid appropriate for the temperatures you expect.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Check the emergency supplies you keep in your vehicle. Depending on your climate and travel habits, useful items may include a flashlight, first-aid kit, phone charger, reflective warning devices, basic tools, drinking water, warm clothing or a blanket, and an ice scraper. Drivers who regularly travel through snowy or remote areas may need additional supplies.
If your vehicle has a spare tire, check its air pressure and make sure the jack and necessary tools are actually in the vehicle. Discovering that your spare tire is flat at the same moment as your regular tire is a particularly cruel form of teamwork.
Be Ready for Hurricane Season
September is also an especially important month for hurricane preparedness. Atlantic hurricane activity typically reaches its seasonal peak around September 10, and much of the basin's hurricane activity occurs during August, September, and October.
If you live in or travel through a hurricane-prone area, don't wait until a storm is approaching to prepare your vehicle. Keep the fuel tank reasonably full, make sure your vehicle is mechanically ready for a possible evacuation, and know the evacuation routes in your area.
Remember that hurricanes can affect drivers hundreds of miles inland through heavy rain, flooding, fallen trees, power outages, and road closures. Most importantly, never drive through a flooded roadway. Water can be deeper or faster-moving than it appears, and the roadway underneath may be damaged or completely washed away.
Don't Wait for the First Storm
Preparing your vehicle doesn't guarantee that nothing will go wrong. It means reducing the chances of a preventable breakdown and making sure you're better equipped to handle an emergency if one occurs.
So, during National Preparedness Month, spend a little time getting your vehicle ready for the months ahead. A mechanical inspection, some basic maintenance, and a well-stocked emergency kit can make the transition into fall and winter safer.
Now go enjoy September and everything it brings—preferably with changing leaves instead of changing tires!
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