Fall Maintenance Checklist: Get Your Car Ready for Back-to-School Season in Maryland

Once school starts back up, your car may go from weekend errands to daily driving pretty fast. Drop-offs, pickups, practice runs, work, and all the other trips that fill up the calendar can add a lot of miles in a short time.

That's easy to overlook until you're the one stuck in the pickup line with a car that won't start.

It's worth paying extra attention if you're driving a pre-owned vehicle. If you've had it for a while, you may know its maintenance history. But if you're not sure when something was last checked or replaced, late summer is a good time to find out. At Hi Lo Auto Sales, we know that having a reliable vehicle matters even more when your everyday driving schedule is about to get busier.

Here's the checklist we'd run through before the school year routine gets busy.

Check the Battery

Summer heat can be hard on a car battery, and a battery that's already getting old may not give you much warning before it quits.

Some signs it's struggling include headlights that look dimmer than usual at idle, a clicking sound instead of a smooth start, slower cranking, or needing a jump more than once in a short stretch.

That's why testing is better than guessing. If your battery is a few years old, it's worth having it checked. While you're at it, have someone look at the cable connections, too. A loose or corroded connection can cause starting problems that look a lot like a bad battery.

Tires Are Worth Ten Minutes of Your Time

Your tires are going to see plenty of use once the school routine picks back up, so take a few minutes to check them before the additional mileage.

Start with the tread. You can use the penny test by placing a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln's head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is too worn, and the tires should be replaced.

Pressure is the other part people tend to skip. Check it when the tires are cold, before the car has been driven that day. A tire can look perfectly normal and still be underinflated, so checking your tire pressure regularly should be part of your routine.

While you're looking at the tires, check for cracks, bulges, or wear that's uneven from one side of the tire to the other. Uneven wear can point to an alignment issue or other vehicle issues, so it's better to have it checked before it turns into a bigger problem.

Five Minute Fluid Checks Prevent Problems

This is one of the easiest things to check and somehow one of the easiest to forget.

Pop the hood and check the fluids your vehicle's owner's manual recommends, including:

Engine oil
Coolant
Brake fluid
Windshield washer fluid

Oil and coolant help keep the engine running properly, while washer fluid becomes especially useful once fall rain and road grime become part of the daily routine.

If you're not sure when some of these checks or services are due, it can help to review your regular car maintenance needs before the school year gets busy.

If a fluid is low, don't automatically assume it just needs a top-off. Check your owner's manual or have the vehicle inspected to find out why a fluid might be low. If you're already due for an oil change or other fluid service, late summer is a convenient time to get it taken care of.

Brakes Deserve a Real Look, Not Just a Listen

Brakes wear down gradually, which makes it easy to get used to the way the vehicle feels without realizing something has changed.

Pay attention to squealing, grinding, vibration, a softer-than-usual brake pedal, or the vehicle pulling to one side when you brake. Any of those signs are worth having the brakes checked.

This matters even more when the car is about to become part of a busy school year routine. More daily driving means more stops, more traffic, and more time on the road. You want to know your brakes are ready for it.

Your Late-Summer Checklist

Before the school year routine ramps up, take a few minutes to check:

Battery: Look for signs of a weak battery and consider having it tested if it's a few years old.
Tires: Check tread, cold tire pressure, and signs of uneven wear or damage.
Fluids: Check your oil, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid.
Brakes: Pay attention to unusual sounds, vibrations, pulling, or changes in pedal feel.

Some of these tasks you can handle in your driveway, while others are better left to a professional. Taking care of them now can help you start the school year with one less thing to worry about.

If vehicle repairs start costing more than the vehicle is worth, consider trading it in at Hi Lo Auto Sales. We’re here to help if you need to upgrade your ride. We’ve also partnered with Tire Pros of Frederick for all of our maintenance and repair needs. We’re committed to helping you find a reliable vehicle that’ll carry you through the school year and beyond. Contact us to find the vehicle that’s right for you this fall.