Autumn brings gradually cooling temperatures, larger day-to-night temperature differences, and frequent cloudy, rainy, and leaf-falling weather—conditions that can easily cause performance degradation in a car’s fluids, tires, electrical systems, and other components due to environmental factors. Scientific autumn maintenance not only helps extend your vehicle’s lifespan but also minimizes the risk of winter-related breakdowns. We will now discuss Core systems, critical components, vehicle usage details Three key dimensions to provide you with a comprehensive care plan.

       1. Oil System: A must-check during seasonal transitions, optimized for low-temperature environments

Lubricating oil

As autumn arrives and temperatures begin to drop gradually, it’s time to switch to lubricants better suited for colder conditions. For viscosity, we recommend choosing 0W-20 oil, as this type offers superior resistance to low temperatures and is perfectly designed to handle autumn’s chilly weather. You can also opt for our premium synthetic motor oil from Esso, delivering maximum power and performance to keep your vehicle running at its best all season long.

Antifreeze

As the temperature drops in autumn, make sure to replace the antifreeze promptly to prevent the radiator from freezing and cracking—and don’t forget to check the remaining antifreeze level on a regular basis. The liquid level must be between "LOW" and "FULL."

  Glass cleaner

Replace with low-temperature windshield washer fluid: During the rainy autumn season, switch from the summer-grade fluid designed for temperatures above 0°C to a -10°C or -25°C model to prevent freezing and clogging of the nozzles in winter.

Check the nozzles: Start the vehicle and test whether the windshield washer fluid is spraying smoothly. If the nozzles are clogged, you can use a thin needle to clear them.

Brake fluid

   Check the moisture content: Brake fluid easily absorbs water, and its moisture level tends to rise in the humid autumn environment. Please inspect the water content within the brake fluid to determine whether a brake fluid replacement is necessary.

Check the fluid level: The level must be between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the reservoir tank. If it’s low, replenish the brake fluid promptly as needed.

2. Key Components: Tackling Temperature Differences and Weather Conditions, Eliminating Safety Hazards

          Check tire pressure : For every 1°C drop in temperature, tire pressure decreases by approximately 0.01 MPa. In autumn, tire pressure should be checked monthly. Insufficient tire pressure can increase fuel consumption and accelerate tire wear, while excessive pressure may reduce traction on wet roads.

Check tire treads and wear: Tires should be replaced when tread depth falls below 1.6mm. With autumn bringing frequent rainfall, tires featuring shallow treads are more prone to hydroplaning. Also, inspect the tires for bulges, cracks, or embedded foreign objects—address any issues promptly if found.

Clean debris from tire treads: In autumn, fallen leaves and small pebbles easily get lodged in the tire grooves. If left unattended for an extended period, they can wear down the tread surface and even cause unusual noises when driving at high speeds. Use a screwdriver or a specialized tool to gently remove them.

Battery

       Batteries tend to lose charge more easily in low temperatures, so we need to pay attention to battery maintenance and repairs. We can carry out targeted maintenance by inspecting the exterior and wiring, testing the battery’s charge level, and minimizing behaviors that lead to discharge.

Inspect the appearance and wiring: Check the battery casing for bulging or leakage, and examine the terminals for oxidation. If oxidation is present, gently sand the affected areas with fine-grit sandpaper, then apply petroleum jelly to prevent further corrosion.

Battery Test: As autumn temperatures drop, battery capacity typically decreases by 10% to 20%. If your vehicle remains parked for more than 3 days, it may become difficult to start, or the headlights might dim upon ignition—both signs that the battery is running low and needs immediate charging. Additionally, if your battery is over 3 years old, it’s advisable to replace it outright to prevent unexpected power loss during winter driving.

Reduce battery-draining habits: Avoid prolonged idling with the air conditioner running, and don’t forget to turn off lights or audio systems after exiting the vehicle—these actions can quickly deplete your battery’s charge.

Air conditioner

       As autumn arrives, air conditioners can easily develop unpleasant odors. We should conduct regular inspections and maintenance—something we can do starting from Clean the air conditioner filter, Cleaning the air conditioner duct

Inspect three aspects of the heating function to conduct a thorough check of the air conditioner.

Cleaning the air conditioner filter: During summer, the air conditioner is used frequently, making the filter prone to accumulating dust and mold. When you turn it on in autumn, you may notice a musty smell. To eliminate this, simply remove the filter, gently tap it to shake off the debris, and clean it thoroughly. Alternatively, you can opt for a filter equipped with activated carbon, which effectively absorbs odors for even better results.
        To clean the air conditioning ducts: If the musty odor is severe, use an air conditioning cleaner to flush the ducts. Start the vehicle, turn off the AC cooling system, set the fan to recirculate mode at maximum speed, and spray the cleaning agent into the air intake. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes—this will effectively eliminate mold and unpleasant odors from inside the ducts.
         Check the heating function: When using the heater for the first time in autumn, test whether the air outlet temperature is normal. If heating is slow or the temperature remains low, it could indicate that the heater water tank is clogged or the thermostat is malfunctioning, requiring timely inspection and repair.

Braking and Chassis

Facing the damp conditions of autumn, we should regularly inspect the vehicle's brakes and chassis to prevent rusting, which could otherwise disrupt your travels. We can start by... Inspect the brake pads and brake discs, clean and rust-proof the chassis, and check the suspension system—these three aspects are essential for maintaining your vehicle's braking performance and undercarriage health.

Check the brake pads and brake discs: Replace the brake pads if their thickness falls below 3mm; also replace the brake discs if wear exceeds the specified limit. In autumn, when rain is frequent, brake discs are prone to rusting. If you hear a slight abnormal noise when braking during startup, this is usually normal. However, if the noise persists, you should inspect the brake pads to ensure they aren’t excessively worn.
          Chassis Cleaning and Rust Prevention: Autumn brings frequent rainfall, leading to puddles on the road. Prolonged exposure of the chassis to water and mud can easily cause rust and corrosion. It’s recommended to clean the chassis thoroughly before applying a chassis armor coating, focusing protection on key areas such as the chassis crossmembers, fuel tank, and exhaust pipe.
          Check the suspension system: Inspect the suspension springs and shock absorbers for oil leaks or deformation. If noticeable noises occur when driving over speed bumps, or if the vehicle experiences severe body sway, it could indicate loose or damaged suspension components. Address these issues promptly to prevent compromising driving stability.

      3. Reduce poor driving habits to protect vehicle safety

Vehicle Body Cleaning and Protection
Clean the car body promptly: Autumn rains contain acidic substances that, when left on the car's paint surface for extended periods, can corrode the finish and cause the paint to lose its shine. Similarly, decaying leaves produce acidic compounds that, once stuck to the vehicle, should be promptly removed. After cleaning, applying wax or a ceramic coating can help protect and preserve the car's paint.
Check the sunroof drain holes: Autumn brings frequent rainfall, and if the sunroof drain holes become clogged, rainwater can seep into the vehicle, leading to mold on the ceiling and damp carpets. Be sure to periodically clear the drain holes using a thin wire or a specialized tool.
Lighting System: Tackling the "Dark Autumn," Ensuring Clear Visibility
Check all vehicle lights: In autumn, daylight hours shorten and rainy weather becomes more frequent—make sure your lights are functioning properly, including low beams, high beams, turn signals, brake lights, fog lights, and clearance lights. If the lights appear dim, it could indicate aging bulbs or poor wiring connections; replace or repair them promptly.
Adjust the headlight height: If the low beams are shining too close or too far, use the headlight adjustment knob to fine-tune them, ensuring the low beam illumination range is between 30 and 50 meters with a clear cut-off line.
Windshield wipers: Ensuring "clear visibility" on rainy days, while preventing scratches on the glass.
Check the wiper blades: If the wipers leave streaks, make unusual noises, or fail to clear the glass completely after wiping, it means the blades have aged and need to be replaced promptly.
Clean the windshield wiper blades and glass: In autumn, oil stains easily stick to the glass—use glass cleaner combined with a sponge to clean the surface. Also, remove any debris from the wiper blades to prevent scratching the glass.