Who says fall has to be all crunchy leaves and pumpkin spice lattes? For drivers, the changing season brings a whole other set of conditions that can make getting behind the wheel more treacherous. Avoid any foggy surprises by giving your car a pre-autumn safety check - it's well worth taking the time for!

Tyres - treading with care

In wet and foggy weather, make sure your tyres are up to the task! Check that all five (including your spare) are fully inflated according to manufacturer recommendations. If any of them dip more than a few PSI you may have an issue with leaky valve or even worse - puncture damage. An eye must also be kept on tyre treads since they enable grip in wet conditions by dispersing water from between road surface and wheels- without enough grooves it’ll put a serious hamper on stopping ability, turning capabilities as well as accelerating & cornering manoeuvres

Tyres are important for keeping you safe on the road, so it's a good idea to give yours regular check-ups.  Start off by having a look at your entire tyre - when brand new, an Aussie tyre will have 8mm of tread depth. According to law, 1.5 mm is considered satisfactory but we'd suggest replacing them much earlier than this - 3mm should be good enough! And one more thing; keep in mind any less than 1.5 mm could land you with some hefty fines... better safe than sorry right?

Worried about the tread depth of your tyres? Don't worry, all you need is a 20c coin. Insert it into the circumferential grooves and see if it reaches the 'bill' – that's king platypus for those who don't know! If not, time to get yourself some new ones - or even better: why wait till then? Tyres become less reliable as they age beyond 8 years old so consider replacing them before then for safer driving conditions.

Windows, wipers and mirrors

Has it been a while since you gave your car windows the TLC they deserve? Dust and debris can build up, leading to a hazy film that catches humidity in wet weather. Tackle this with some purpose-made glass cleaner or white vinegar plus a terry cloth — work in straight lines for best results! Don't forget about those side mirrors either; give them same treatment as the other windows. The outside of each window needs love too: use mild detergent mix on soft sponge alongside your trusty squeegee to get rid of any road dirt, grease or dead bugs stuck there.

Double check lights

As temperatures drop and daylight hours become fewer, the visibility of your vehicle while on the road is increasingly important! It's wise to give your car lights a check every so often - especially if you're about to embark on any kind of long distance journey or highway drive. You'll need two pairs of eyes for this job looking out at once – either treat yourself with a buddy or get creative by angling mirrors in front (and behind!) you when parked up inside the comfort and safety of a garage. Tap lightly onto all those brake lights whilst firmly slamming down that handbrake button too, then don't forget switching between indicators, hazards and getting headlamps good-to-go as being caught short during nightfall can be no joke; not only might it put passengers lives unnecessarily at risk but also mean an unwanted defect notice from patrolling police officers...so better safe than sorry eh?

Check your cover

Don't get caught in the cold! Make sure you always have your car insurance up to date. It's an important step for any driver, but especially critical when faced with difficult roads or strange terrain. Keep yourself safe by taking a few moments now and check on those coverage details - it could make all the difference down the road!

Before heading off ...

Before you hit the road, have a good look at the conditions. If it's raining or foggy and driving feels unsafe, don't take chances with your safety! Don’t get caught up in trying to stick to any tight schedule - instead, factor in regular pauses for rest so that everyone on the roads can be more relaxed and courteous when traveling. Last but not least – keep an eye on speed limits; we want you making smart decisions without compromising your own (and others') well-being.