Our guide to avoiding a breakdown this autumn

Bonfires, cosy nights in, stunning scenery and the changing leaves… autumn seems harmless. However, it can also present plenty of challenges out on the roads.

Whether this is your first autumn behind the wheel, or you’re an old hand at negotiating seasonal change, these top tips in this driving advice guide will help ensure your autumnal driving goes without a hitch.

Autumn driving checklist

Before setting off this autumn, take a few minutes to check that your vehicle is ready for the changing conditions:

• Check engine oil, coolant and washer fluid levels
• Inspect your battery and look for signs of weakness
• Test all exterior lights, including fog lights and indicators
• Check tyre tread depth, pressure and overall condition
• Inspect windscreen wiper blades for wear or damage
• Keep screenwash topped up with a suitable mixture
• Check the weather forecast before longer journeys
• Make sure your breakdown cover is up to date
• Pack an emergency kit in case of a breakdown

Fill up on fluids

One of the most important things to remember during any car check this autumn is to make sure your fluids are topped up.

You don’t want to be caught out on a frosty morning, so check your coolant/antifreeze level, and if you don’t know which antifreeze is best for your vehicle, ask at a garage.

Keep an eye on your washer fluid levels too.

Your car will contend with a lot of rain and falling leaves in autumn that will leave streaks all over your windscreen, so it’s important you have the means to keep it clear.

Check your battery

Most car batteries last between three and five years, although lifespan varies depending on usage, vehicle technology, driving habits and maintenance.

So, if you think you’re in line for a new one be sure to change it before the worst of the weather hits.

No-one wants to be stuck in the freezing cold with a flat car battery (make sure you're covered in case this happens with our breakdown cover product).

Even if you don’t think you’re ready for a new one, it’s still a good idea to give yours the once-over to be on the safe side.

Check the RAC shop for a great deal on a new battery with same-day fitting.

Modern vehicles place greater demands on their batteries, particularly those with stop-start technology, so it is worth having the battery tested if it is more than three years old.

Prepare for night-time driving

Those long summer evenings are long gone and as the days get shorter you’ll be doing a lot more driving in the dark.

If this is your first autumn driving, or even if you just lack confidence on the roads after dark, why not try and build up some practice?

Driving in the dark can be a completely different experience to what you’re used to, especially in rural areas with limited street lights, so it’s always a good idea to get some hours under your belt before undertaking any longer journeys.

Check out our dedicated guide for more driving at night tips.

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Keep the lights on

Ideally you should be checking your lights every few weeks or so throughout the year, but with the nights drawing in it’s more important than ever to give them a quick look-over.

Don’t just check your headlights and brake lights. They all need to be working to keep you safe, and that includes fog lights, hazards/indicators, and even your number plate lights.

Check out the RAC shop to find the right light bulbs for your car.

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Tyre safety

Knowing how to look after your tyres during the autumn is vital.

Your car’s tyres are arguably the most important consumable part of your car - they are the only point of contact between your car and the road surface, and prevent you from endangering yourself and others. 

 Grip levels reduce as the weather gets colder and wetter, and leaves cover the road. This is why tyre safety should be at the forefront of your mind this season.

Get breakdown cover

Autumn means shorter days, colder weather and a lot more wind and rain, so the last thing you want is to be dealing with a breakdown.

To make sure your plans aren’t derailed, be sure to arrange the right protection for you. RAC breakdown cover comes with our 120 years of experience as standard.

Look out for children

The kids are back at school and that means that there’ll be a lot more of them out and about on the roads.

It’s important to be extra vigilant when driving around schools, particularly at the beginning and end of the school day, and be sure to adhere to any special speed limits in place to keep traffic slow.

You should also be careful of schoolchildren riding bikes and scooters who might rush out into the road, particularly when it starts getting dark earlier, as they might not be wearing reflective clothing.

Be ready whatever the weather

Autumn brings a drop in temperature and a whole host of variable weather conditions that can affect driving such as rain, fog, wind, maybe even snow and ice.

Both rain and ice make roads and other surfaces slippery, so consider your steering and braking distances. Fog can seriously impair your visibility so ensure your fog lights are working and drive with extreme caution.

It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before setting off so you have an idea of what to expect and keep some warm and wet-weather clothing in your car just in case it changes.

Make sure you have antifreeze in your vehicle before you set off.

For more information, check out the RAC guides to driving in heavy rain and driving in windy weather.

Look out for leaves

They might look great when they’re turning golden brown but autumn leaves can be extremely dangerous on the roads, so take extra care if you’re travelling along rural routes and tree-lined streets in towns and cities.

The Highway Code says you should leave two seconds between you and the car in front, but if the road is slippery with leaves – particularly if it’s been raining – leave a bigger gap to prepare for longer stopping distances.

Leaves can cover up other surprises, like potholes and dips, so make sure you’re travelling carefully enough to deal with anything unexpected.

Wet leaves can create a surface with grip levels similar to ice, especially when compressed by traffic.

Prepare to be dazzled

Autumn means the sun is a lot lower in sky, and for drivers this increased glare can be dangerous, especially when it’s flickering through leafless trees.

To stay prepared for the dazzle, keep a good pair of sunglasses in the car and make full use of the sun visor. It’s also sensible to keep your windscreen clean and clear at all times, as any streaks will further impair your vision in the sunlight.

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• RAC Pothole Index – statistics and data for UK roads

Check your wiper blades

Autumn weather can quickly reduce visibility, with frequent rain, spray and falling leaves making it harder to see clearly. That's why it's important to make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition before the worst of the weather arrives.

Inspect your wiper blades for signs of wear such as cracks, splits or perishing rubber. If they leave streaks, smear water across the windscreen, skip across the glass or miss sections altogether, it's time to replace them. Keeping your wiper blades in good condition will help maintain a clear view of the road and make driving safer during wet autumn conditions.

For best results, clean your windscreen regularly and ensure your washer fluid is topped up with a suitable screenwash mixture.

Watch out for wildlife

Deer, foxes, badgers, rabbits, even the occasional wildcat – the UK has some great wildlife, but when it comes to driving these creatures present a genuine danger.

Thousands of deer are killed on the UK’s roads every year, so be vigilant particularly when driving in heavily-wooded areas and rural lanes – especially if you see any road signs warning you that there are deer in the area.

Deer are most active around dawn and dusk during the autumn rutting season, making collisions more likely.

Consider EV range in colder weather

Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common sight on UK roads, but drivers should be aware that colder temperatures can affect battery performance and reduce driving range.

As temperatures drop, EV batteries become less efficient and more energy is used to heat the cabin, meaning you may not be able to travel as far on a full charge as you would during the summer months. If you're planning a longer journey, allow extra time for charging stops and make sure you know where suitable charge points are located along your route.

Using your vehicle's pre-conditioning feature while it's still plugged in can also help improve efficiency and maximise available range on cold autumn mornings.

Carry an emergency kit

While regular vehicle maintenance can help prevent breakdowns, it's always worth preparing for the unexpected. Autumn weather can change quickly, and a roadside breakdown in heavy rain, fog or falling temperatures can be inconvenient and uncomfortable.

Consider keeping an emergency kit in your car that includes a warm coat or blanket, a torch, a phone charger or power bank, drinking water, high-visibility clothing and any essential medication. You may also want to carry a warning triangle if you're travelling abroad, along with an ice scraper and de-icer as temperatures begin to fall.

Being prepared can make a breakdown safer and less stressful while you wait for assistance.

Don’t get distracted

One of the best things about autumn is the great holidays. Halloween and Bonfire Night are fun for people of all ages, but they can be quite distracting for motorists.

Watch out for kids trick-or-treating on Halloween and be prepared for exploding fireworks and large crowds around local displays when Guy Fawkes comes around.