Autumn check: How to make your car fit for autumn
Autumn is just around the corner: with grey skies, rain and falling temperatures. It's high time to create a checklist so that you can get your vehicle through the autumn and later through the winter easily and safely. In this blog post, you'll learn which key checkpoints you shouldn't overlook before autumn is in full swing, and how you can save money by replacing wear parts in a timely manner. Read on now and be prepared! #gosafegofar
Create a checklist
Good preparation is the key to success, especially when it comes to safety. Below is a list of the most important vehicle parts that you should definitely check before the fall season begins. Make sure you allow enough time for regular maintenance. For parts that you cannot replace yourself, you should make an appointment at the workshop in good time – because the waiting times are often longer than expected!
Brake
Checking the brakes is essential for the safety of you and other road users, especially on the often slippery roads in autumn, which can become slippery due to rain and falling leaves. Worn or defective brakes can increase braking distances and increase the risk of accidents. Replacing brake components in a timely manner can not only save you money by avoiding more expensive repairs, but it can also improve your vehicle's ride comfort and performance. So don't hesitate to check the brakes – including the brake discs, brake pads and brake lines – thoroughly.
Lighting
Well-functioning and correctly adjusted car headlights are crucial for the safety of the driver and all other road users. It's not just about whether the light is on, but also how it shines. The focus is on the visibility of the driver and the vehicle. Not only the headlights, but also the brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting should always work perfectly. It is particularly important to align the headlights correctly, as incorrectly adjusted lights can blind oncoming drivers – a dangerous situation for everyone involved. In short, regular maintenance and proper use of headlights are essential to avoid accidents and ensure safety on the road.

Windscreen wiper
The connection between functioning windshield wipers and driving safety is obvious. Good windscreen wipers combined with sufficient wiper fluid ensure a clear view by removing rain, snow, ice, dirt and insects from the windscreen. The wiper blades wear out over time due to weather conditions. Worn wiper blades can leave streaks or even scratches on the windshield and thus significantly impair visibility. Timely replacement of these wear parts is therefore essential.
Ignition system
The spark plugs and ignition system are particularly sensitive to cold, especially if they have not been properly maintained. A weak spark or dirty spark plugs can cause the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders to not ignite properly, making it difficult to start the vehicle. Make sure that the spark plugs are in good condition and that the ignition system is working properly. Replace worn spark plugs and check the ignition lines for wear.
Suspension and shock absorbers
Over time, shock absorbers and suspension springs wear out due to everyday use. If you experience any of the following symptoms while driving, it may be time for a replacement:
- Excessive swinging of the vehicle after driving over unevenness
- spongy feeling or strong tilting of the car in curves
- Extended braking distances or reduced braking performance
- uneven tyre wear
- visible signs of leakage or rust on the shock absorbersSuch defects
can lead to erratic handling, an increased risk of aquaplaning, poorer road grip and increased tyre wear.
These are good reasons to keep the shock absorbers and suspension springs in perfect condition.
Engine oil
Regular inspection and maintenance of engine oil and other fluids before autumn is crucial to maintain your car's performance and protect it from engine damage, excessive wear and dangerous situations. Such maintenance contributes to the overall reliability of your vehicle – something that is especially important if you want to be safe on the road in the changeable and often challenging weather conditions of autumn.
Filter
When it comes to autumn maintenance of your car, special attention should be paid to the various filters. Whether oil filters, air filters, cabin filters or fuel filters – these parts play a crucial role in the functionality of your vehicle. The best thing about it is that you can also replace many of these filters yourself – provided you're not afraid of a little dirt on your hands.
Oil filter
Not only is every combustion engine practically doomed without lubrication. But contaminated engine oil, full of metal abrasion, soot and other particles, can also cause serious damage to bearings, bushings, pistons and the entire engine. The oil filter ensures that these harmful particles are filtered out of the oil. However, if the oil filter is completely clogged, a safety valve opens to ensure the lubrication of the engine. The disadvantage: The oil is then no longer filtered.
To ensure sufficient filter performance at all times, the oil filter must be replaced regularly. Oil filters are commercially available as screw-on filters or with a filter cartridge. Screw-on filters are installed particularly frequently. In this case, the entire filter is firmly integrated into the housing and therefore consists of only one element.
The oil filter change depends less on the season and more on the operating time of the engine. The recommended replacement intervals vary depending on the vehicle manufacturer, but the oil filter should be replaced after 60,000 kilometres at the latest. A practical tip: It is recommended to also change the oil filter when changing the oil.
Cabin filter
The cabin filter captures numerous unwanted particles in the car. The quality of the air in the car directly depends on the quality and condition of the cabin filter. Simpler filter models consist of several layers of textile fibers such as cotton, microfibers and fleece, while higher-quality filters also contain a layer of activated carbon. The textile fibres block particles such as dust and pollen, while the activated carbon binds gaseous pollutants such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, ozone and sulphur dioxide. Biofunctional filters also offer protection against mold spores, bacteria and allergy-causing microbes. This is especially important for allergy sufferers.
Air filter
Every combustion engine needs air to operate, which it sucks in from the outside. However, this outside air contains numerous dirt particles that could damage the engine. To prevent these particles from entering the engine, the air sucked in is passed through a filter – the so-called air filter. But over time, the fine pores of this filter become more and more clogged. If the air filter is clogged, not enough air can flow through. This means that the engine does not receive enough oxygen for the combustion process. The result is a decrease in engine power and a deterioration in exhaust gas values. Air filters are therefore typical wear parts in all vehicles with combustion engines. All types and types of air filters are easy to find on the internet as spare parts.
Fuel filter
The task of the fuel filter is to filter dirt particles from the diesel or gasoline so that only clean fuel reaches the engine. The performance of the fuel filter is affected by both the driving style and the fuel quality. A clogged fuel filter prevents a constant supply of fuel to the engine. As a result, loss of power and engine failures are among the most common symptoms of a clogged fuel filter. Since the capacity of the fuel filter is limited, this type of filter is also one of the parts that is subject to a certain amount of wear. Fortunately, almost all types of fuel filters are available online as spare parts.
Changing oil filters is less dependent on the time of year and more on the operating time of an engine and the recommended change interval depends on the particular manufacturer of the car. You should therefore replace an oil filter after 60,000 kilometres of driving at the latest. However, since winter oil is often due in autumn without an oil change, you should also take the opportunity to check the condition of the oil filter and replace it if necessary.
Motorcycle Parts
Whether you're already winterizing your motorcycle or want to enjoy the last fresh rides, it's important to make sure you can use your two-wheeler safely at all times. Protect yourself with the right clothing and make sure your engine is running properly. Does everything work? Have all wear parts been replaced, the engine lubricated, the brakes intact? Then nothing stands in the way of riding fun - or you can store it longingly until the next motorcycle season. And if there is anything else to improve: At Motointegrator.de you can buy all motorcycle parts and protective clothing at a good price.
Tire
Rolling resistance and fuel economy
Good tyres are a must – always, but especially in the autumn and winter season. With low rolling resistance, you also drive more fuel-efficiently. Class A tyres for braking on wet roads provide the shortest braking distance. Are you looking for new winter tyres for your car? Large selection of tyres at reasonable prices can be found here: https://www.motointegrator.de/s/lp-reifen/
Experts recommend that you follow the O/O rule when changing tyres. If you drive with summer tires in sub-zero temperatures, you risk dangerous skidding and the loss of your insurance cover if an accident occurs. The rubber compound of summer tyres hardens as temperatures drop. A safe grip on the ground is then no longer guaranteed. Check now whether you may need new winter tyres and make an appointment with your trusted workshop in good time. If you want to be safe on the road, follow the 4-4-4 rule when changing tyres: Have four identical tyres fitted, which have a tread of 4 mm and are no more than four years old.
When should the tyres be changed?
Experts recommend the so-called O-O rule (October to Easter) when changing tires. If you are still driving with summer tires in temperatures below zero degrees, you risk dangerous slipping and the loss of insurance cover in the event of an accident. The rubber compound of summer tyres becomes hard at low temperatures, which means that safe traction is no longer guaranteed. Therefore, check now whether you need new winter tyres and make an appointment at your trusted workshop. If you want to be safe on the road, you should also follow the 4-4-4 rule: four identical tyres, at least 4 mm tread depth and not older than four years.
All-season tyres
All-season tyres can be a practical solution for the autumn and winter seasons, especially if you don't want to switch between summer and winter tyres. They offer balanced performance in different weather conditions, including wet and lightly snowy roads. Check that your all-season tyres are still in good condition and have enough tread to give you enough grip even in the cooler season.
Prevention is better than cure
It may sound obvious, but we would like to remind you: prevention is better than cure, and safety always comes first. Are you still looking for spare parts for your car or motorcycle? Then take a look at our autumn offers so that you can prepare your vehicle cost-effectively for the autumn and winter season on motointegrator.de. Our current discount offers, with which you can get your vehicle safely and cost-effectively through autumn, can be found here!