DIY Post-Summer Vehicle Maintenance

If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you know the satisfaction that comes with getting under the hood and getting things done yourself. So, here’s a quick and straightforward guide to ensure your vehicle’s ready for the seasonal shift:

• Check and Change Your Fluids: After the heat of summer, your oil, coolant, power steering and brake fluid need a refresh. Top them off or change them completely to keep your engine happy. Do not forget the washer fluid as that will be a common need throughout the season.

• Inspect Your Tires: Long road trips and hot summers can wear out your tires faster than you'd think. Start by checking each tire’s air pressure. Inspect your tires carefully for appropriate wear patterns and confirm the sidewalls have no cuts, cracking, or adverse abrasions. Make sure your tread depth can provide good traction through any fair or foul weather. Fall brings cooler temps, and those tires can deflate quicker than your energy on a Monday morning.

• Battery Health Check: Heat is notorious for speeding up battery wear. A quick test of your battery’s charge will prevent any unwanted surprises.

• Replace Air Filters and Cabin Filters: After a summer full of dusty roads, your air filters are probably begging for mercy. Swap them out to improve air quality and keep your engine breathing easy.

• Brakes and Rotors: That screech you hear? It’s not a good sound. Check your brakes and rotors to make sure they’ve got enough life to get you through fall safely.

• Lights and Wipers: Shorter days and rainy weather mean it’s time to make sure your headlights, brake lights, and wipers are in top shape. Swap out any old bulbs and worn-out wiper blades.

Gear to Help You Get the Job Done

Alright, now that you’ve got your checklist, let’s make this even easier. Here are some must-have products that’ll not only help with your DIY maintenance but also make the process smoother, safer, and way more fun. Anytime, you can outfit the garage with a few purposeful upgrades, it is gonna make the process of vehicle maintenance easier and more efficient.

Race Ramps Wheel Chocks: No Rolling Allowed!

Don’t let your vehicle roll away like a loose pumpkin down a hill! Safety comes first with these Race Ramps Wheel Chocks which can be the unsung heroes of your driveway. Perfect for jacking up your ride or when you’re wrenching on that fall tune-up, these handy little guys keep your car or truck firmly planted. Whether you’re working in the garage or out in the wild, Race Ramps has your back—er, wheels.

Check out Race Ramps Wheel Chocks here: Race Ramps Wheel Chocks

Black Widow Hydraulic Underbody Access Car Lift with Ramp: Lift It Like a Pro

If you are into DIY vehicle projects, one of the best ways you can upgrade your garage is with a car lift. Not enough room and out of budget you say? The Black Widow Hydraulic Underbody Access Car Lift with Ramp is designed for regular resident garages and for a very neighborly price too. 

Oil changes, brake inspections, or just admiring how great your exhaust system looks from underneath—it’s all easier with this lift. Plus, it comes with built-in ramps, so no awkward rolling and positioning. Get your truck in the air and show it some love.

Get your hydraulic lift on here: Black Widow Hydraulic Underbody Access Car Lift

Husky Liners Garage Mat: Save Your Garage Floors

With your ride chocked and propped up, it is time to get underneath. You might have a mechanic’s creeper or you might not, but if you want to roll under your vehicle like a DIY pro, try the Husky Liners Garage Mat. This is like a comfy, portable mechanic’s creeper, making your job 10x easier and it's compact, lightweight, and easily portable to take anywhere. 

The mat is multi-use too. It can serve as a workstation standing pad, seasonal mud room floor mat, or a catch-all utility mat to protect your garage floor from oil spills, dirt, and all the other messes that come with the wet weather. It’s like a superhero for your concrete floors. Bonus: it’s super easy to clean!

Snag one for your garage here: Husky Liners Garage Mat

Filters, Filters, Filters

Fall is the perfect time to freshen up your ride with new filters. Modern vehicles and older rigs alike will have filters that should be cleaned out often or replaced annually. 

Start by locating your vehicle’s engine air filter, typically found in a black box under the hood. Open the housing and inspect the filter for dirt or debris. If the filter appears clogged or dirty, remove it from the housing and give it the old shake-down. Loose debris should knock off easy, but if it is really caked on, use compressed air to blow it clean. Some filters come oiled and require special cleaning solutions to regenerate the filters cleaning properties.

If the filter is excessively dirty or damaged, it’s time for a replacement. Cleaning is a temporary solution, but a fresh filter helps improve fuel efficiency and engine performance.

The cabin air filter, usually located behind or underneath the passenger side glove box, as part of the HVAC system, keeps the air inside your vehicle clean by trapping dust, pollen, and other particles. It should be replaced at least once a year, or every 12,000-15,000 miles, depending on your driving conditions. A clean cabin filter improves air quality inside your vehicle, prevents the HVAC system from working too hard, and helps reduce allergens and odors. If you notice reduced airflow or a musty smell when using the heater or air conditioning, it's a good sign that the cabin filter needs to be changed.

Clean air and oil flow mean better performance, smoother drives, and a healthier engine. Why wait until your engine starts coughing and sneezing? Swap out those filters now and cruise through the season like a boss and do not forget to pick up the mighty K&N Performance Gold Oil Filter to be ready for your next oil service. 

Shop all filters here:

• Air and Cabin Filters: Performance Air Filters

• Filter Service Kit: K&N Air Filter Recharge

• Oil Filters: K&N Performance Gold Oil Filters

Time to Brake for Fall (Literally)

You don’t want to be the one who blows past a stop sign because your brakes are toast. Take some time to check your brake pads and rotors. 

To check and inspect your brakes at home, start by listening for any unusual sounds like squealing or grinding, which could indicate worn-out brake pads or rotor damage. Visually inspect your brake pads through the wheel spokes – if they’re less than ¼ inch thick, it’s time for a replacement. Also, check the brake fluid level under the hood; low fluid or dark, dirty fluid means it’s time to top off or flush the system. 

When driving, if you feel vibrations or your car pulls to one side when braking your rotors may be warped or uneven. Additionally, press on the brake pedal to ensure it feels firm. A spongy pedal could mean air in the brake lines, while a stiff pedal may indicate an issue with the brake booster. Inspect the brake lines and hoses for visible leaks or damage. Finally, if your brakes feel off during a test drive, or you spot any issues during the inspection, it’s best to seek professional help for a more thorough check.

If they’re looking worse for wear, treat your truck to some new performance brakes and feel confident stopping on a dime, even in wet, slippery fall conditions.

Check out our selection of performance brakes here: Performance Brakes

Battery Health: Check It Before You Wreck It

Nothing screams “Fall Fail” like a dead battery on a crisp morning. Before you get stranded with no juice, check your battery’s health and consider a new one if needed. And while you’re at it, grab an AFE Portable Battery Jump Starter—because let’s face it, jumper cables are just cables without another battery or power source. This compact power block will keep you charged up and ready to go, no matter what.

Check out new batteries here: Batteries and Chargers

Grab your jumper box here: AFE Portable Battery Jump Starter

Floor Mats and Floor Liners: Keep it Clean

Rain, mud, and who-knows-what else can really mess up your interior. Don’t let fall weather win! Husky Liners X-act Contour Floor Liners are the perfect solution to keep your floors clean and dry. They’re laser-measured for a perfect fit, and the high sidewalls trap all the muck before it even thinks about touching your carpets.

Save your floors from fall gunk here: Husky Liners X-act Contour Floor Liners

Seat Covers: Your Seats Need Love Too

You’re taking care of the floors, so why stop there? Protect your seats from stains, spills, and everything else that comes with the season by throwing on some seat covers. With a variety of styles and materials to choose from, you can keep your interior looking fresh and clean while adding a bit of personality to your ride.

Find the perfect seat covers here: Seat Covers

Car and Truck Covers: Shield Your Ride

Fall means leaves, rain, and even those pesky critters looking for a warm spot to cozy up. A car or truck cover is the perfect solution to keep your vehicle protected from the elements (and furry invaders). Whether you want a lightweight cover for daily use or something heavy-duty to seal out pests, we’ve got you covered (pun intended).

Shop car and truck covers here: Car and Truck Covers

Tires and TPMS: Keep Rollin'

Don’t forget to inspect your tires! Fall can be hard on your rubber, so make sure they’re ready for the road. Now would be a great opportunity to rotate the tires and give each one a thorough inspection. 

If you’re noticing irregular wear patterns, bald spots, or low tread, it is probably a good idea to check the alignment. A quick DIY method is to grab a tape measure and determine the distance from tire to tire on the front side and backside. You simply measure from the same spot on tire to tire and compare the measurements. If everything is square, the measurement from the front side of the driver’s side tire to the passenger’s side tire would be equal to the measurement from the back side of the driver’s side tire to the passenger’s side tire. There are lots of YouTube videos on this that can help you out. 

Additionally, if you notice any punctures or cuts in the sidewalls, it’s time for a new set. And while you're at it, take care of that annoying TPMS warning light on your dashboard with a fresh Max Sensor TPMS so you can cruise without any distractions.

Check your tires here: New Tires

Get rid of that TPMS light here: Max Sensor TPMS Sensors

Ready, Set, Fall Maintenance

There you have it—everything you need to get your vehicle prepped and running smoothly for fall. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, breaking the process down into simple tasks will make post-summer maintenance a breeze. With the right tools and products, you'll be one step closer to being a garage rockstar, and your vehicle will reward you with smoother rides and fewer trips to the shop.

So, grab your gear, stock up on essentials, and tackle your fall maintenance like a pro! And if you have any questions or need assistance, contact our knowledgeable team who is always here to help. Got some vehicle prep tips of your own? Drop them in the comments and let’s keep the conversation going!