7 Fall Car Care Tips to Ensure a Smooth Transition from Summer

Often, autumn days are short, many cars stand with wet leaves on the roads and autumn is bereft of warmth. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure your car is prepared for whatever the season of autumn has in store for you. That is why, in today’s article, I will show you 7 simple tips on how to properly care for your car as summer comes to an end and can take hold of the fall.

Table of Contents

• Prepare an Emergency Kit
• Check Your Tires
• Check Fluid Levels
• Inspect Brakes
• Test Heating and Defrosting Systems
• Inspect Wiper Blades
• Test Battery

Prepare an Emergency Kit

You never know where the unexpected might come knocking, so you should always have an emergency kit in your car. And if you happen to have roadside assistance covered by your car insurance policy, that’s a thing you want to check out because it’s known how handy that can be in a sticky situation. 

Make sure to include the following items in your kit:

• Jumper cables
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blanket and warm clothing
• First aid kit
• Basic tools
• Non-perishable food
• Bottled water
• Ice scraper
• Small shovel
• Road flares
• Reflective triangles
• Phone charger

Check Your Tires

The air pressure in your tires can drop with cooler weather, causing uneven wear, loss of fuel efficiency, and even blowouts. For the safety of yourself and the other folks on the road as the season progresses, taking a couple minutes to look at your tires reflects good sense. Here’s what you need to do:

• Check tire pressure: Its a good idea to use a tire gauge to test the pressure of all four tires (including the spare). For the correct PSI (pounds per square inch), refer to your vehicle’s owners manual and if a coolant change is required, change it accordingly.
• Inspect tread depth: Fall tends to leave wet and slippery roads, so use the “penny test” to check the tread depth, making sure you have ample traction with tires. Place a penny head down in the tread. If you can see the top of his head, it’s probably time to mount some new tires.
• Look for signs of wear and damage: Check your tires for cracks, bulges, or embedded objects like nails or glass. Anything abnormal should be checked with a tire professional.

Check Fluid Levels

One simple and important step to get your vehicle ready for fall is to check your vehicle fluid levels. Pay attention to these fluids:

• Engine oil: Check your oil level using the dipstick to see there’s enough oil in there and within the recommended range. If your oil is dark or sandy-looking, maybe it’s time for a change.
• Coolant: Coolant isn’t only for keeping your engine cool when it’s hot out. It is also beneficial as it prevents icing in colder weather. Ensure your coolant level is sufficient, or it can be topped up and even flushed if it’s another while since this service.
• Brake fluid: A car whose brakes aren’t up to the mark and due to low brake fluid not working properly is a danger to both yourself and other people on the road, worse still in wet or icy conditions. If it’s time for a brake system inspection, check the fluid level; it should be topped off, or you should see a mechanic.
• Windshield washer fluid: Topping up this fluid will ensure the dirt, debris, and smudges remain on your windshield. For that same reason, you may also want to switch to a winter formula that doesn’t freeze in colder weather.
• Transmission fluid: Shifting problems and more serious problems later, can result from transmission fluid that is low or dirty. Look to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to check and add fluid.

Inspect Brakes

With fall in full swing, roads get slick, and you should check your braking system before this season.

First, listen for an abnormal sound while applying brake. In case you hear squealing or grinding noises, then you could have worn down your brakes. The first thing you do is to check for wear and/or damage on the brake pads and rotors while your car is sitting still.

Then listen out for how your brakes are doing as you drive. If your brake pedal has that soft, spongy feel, or if like my son you notice your car leaving the car come to a stop less quickly than it used to, you may have a problem with the brake fluid or the master cylinder.

For example, if your brake warning light comes on, you shouldn’t ignore it. The problem might be very serious with your braking system. However, even if they do seem to be functioning normally, it is advised to have a professional diagnose and repair any problem you have to prevent risk.

Test Heating and Defrosting Systems

Before the temperature really drops, give your heating and defrosting systems a test run since a foggy windshield can severely limit visibility and make driving incredibly dangerous. Plus, no one wants to shiver through their morning commute.

First, start your engine, turn the temperature dial to the highest setting, and select the heater function. It might take a few minutes, but you should feel warm air blowing from the vents. If not, your heater core could be malfunctioning, so you’ll want to visit a mechanic to have it checked out.

Then, turn on your defrosters to ensure they’re working effectively. If your windows aren’t clearing up as quickly as they should, it could be a sign of a weak defroster or issues with your vehicle’s ventilation system.

Inspect Wiper Blades

Make use of that chilly weather to test run your heating and defrosting systems before the temperature really drops because a foggy windshield can greatly restrict visibility and make driving incredibly dangerous. But nobody wants to shiver all the way to work in the morning.

Start by turning your engine, turning the temperature dial to the maximum and setting the heater function. Depending on it usually won’t take more than a few minutes and you should feel warm air coming out of the vents. If not, then it is possible that your heater core is malfunctioning, and you will want to go to a mechanic to have it checked.

Next, turn on your defrosters so you can be confident they’re working as they should. Your windows won’t clear up as quickly as they should if you have weak defroster or issues with your vehicle’s ventilation system.

Test Battery

It’s more than inconvenient. It can strand you at the worst time possible. A failing battery in the fall is going to die in the winter – cold weather places added strain on your battery.

By testing your battery now, you’re saving yourself the last minute trouble of having a dead battery in the morning and replacing it if needed, giving you a smooth starting experience all season.

You’ll need a battery tester to check your battery’s condition and you can get one cheaply. Also, lots of auto parts stores will do free battery testing for you. If you’re battery is on the way out, you should replace it with a new one following your manufacturer’s guidelines.

Preparing your car for the fall season can make all the difference in ensuring a safe, smooth driving experience. While you’re at it, don’t forget to review your cheap car insurance options and get updated car insurance quotes to make sure you’re fully covered and getting the best deal possible.

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Garage Builds: This Ain’t no Honda Fat Cat

In 1986 and 1987 Honda built the TR200, better known as the “Fat Cat” for the U.S. market. This half dirt bike, half ATV hermaphrodite wasn’t agile, had lackluster performance and was generally deemed dangerous before Honda pulled the plug in 1988.

Honda Fat Cat’s are relatively collectible now and clean versions can bring upwards of $8,000 USD. Finding one, however, is a bit tricky. So Mike Lilge of Appleton, Wisconsin, decided to build his own. While he was at it, he made a few, shall we say, upgrades?

The frame is borrowed from a 1984 Honda 200S ATV, modified and fitted with a custom swing arm and Honda 250R ATV lower tree. The front end lends a little more motorcycle ingenuity, stealing forks from a Suzuki GS450 mated to a custom-fabricated upper tree. The rear absorbs bumps with a single remote reservoir shock tucked up under the seat.

The Yamaha counterpart to the Fat Cat, the BW350, provides the rear hub, brake and wheel. Stopping power is supplied via a mechanical disc in the front and drum in the rear. Custom fenders with a well-executed faux patina cover brand-new wheels and tires.

The engine is the stock 200S ATV powerplant with a rebuild consisting of new rings, valves, gaskets, ground seats and a honed cylinder. The engine sings from a sexy little SuperTrapp poking out from underneath a custom rear seat rack and is operated via a twist throttle. The final gearing and top speeds remain consistent with those of the original 200S, which in my experience would be thrillingly more than that of the TR200.

Overall, I love this build. The time and ingenuity can’t be overlooked and when poking deep, it’s actually quite well done. As of writing, this monster is for sale for $4,200 which is probably not much more than the sum of the parts.

Sidecar Subject: Honda Fat Cat Honda Fat Cat Design: The Fat Cat featured a large, bulky frame and wide, ATV-style tires. This gave it a distinctive appearance and added stability on rough terrain, although users often found deep sand and snow to be difficult to maintain control in. Honda engine Reliability: The Fat Cat was powered by a 199 cc four-stroke engine, providing adequate power for off-road riding. Automatic Clutch: The Fat Cat featured an automatic clutch, making it easy to ride for beginners. It had a five-speed transmission for varying terrain and speeds. Brakes: Both the front and rear wheels had drum brakes, providing reliable stopping power. Limited Production: The Fat Cat was only produced for two years 1986 and 1987, making it a relatively rare and sought-after model among collectors. Electric start with Kickstart Backup: The Fat Cat was equipped with an electric starter for convenience, with a kickstart as a backup option so you were never left stranded. Lightweight: The Fat Cat weighed just over 250 pounds dry, making it relatively easy to maneuver and transport.

Garage Builds are user-submitted or interesting off-the-wall, non-typical builds found by BikeEXIF staff. If you’d like to submit a garage build, contact us at studio@bikeexif.com.

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Off-the-Shelf Attitude: Rough Crafts Custom Parts for your Harley

Your bike is as much an extension of your body on the open road as it is your personality when parked at the curb, and as such, the desire to set your machine apart from the herd is universal. In the hunt for more speed, harder cornering and increased curb appeal, we swap handlebars, exhausts and brake parts to make our rides uniquely ours, but the aspiring gearhead is often met with a monumental challenge: ‘How do I make my bike look like that?’

Wading through the seas of cheap universal bolt-ons, the path to your ultimate vision is difficult to plot, especially if you’re limited on the resources needed to fabricate truly custom parts, and what’s widely available doesn’t always make the grade.

There’s no shortage of inspiration on the pages of Bike EXIF, and if you’ve spent any time here, you’ll certainly have taken notes on the iconic style of Winston Yeh’s Rough Crafts motorcycles. Winston’s monochromatic style has been applied to roadsters, naked bikes and every manner of Harley-Davidson, each dripping with carbon fiber, trick fabricated pieces and go-fast goodies. Fortunately for us mere mortals, Rough Crafts offers a bit of their signature style with their line of off-the-shelf parts, and if builds like Sovereign Raven, Nocturnal Unicorn and Iron Guerilla inspire you, you’re in luck.

We’ve recently added a curated collection of Rough Crafts components to the Bike EXIF shop, and in the spirit of opening your eyes to the possibilities, let’s take a quick look at five of our favorite Rough Crafts parts and how they contribute to some of our favorite builds.

Racetail Seat and Fender Kit Going out on a limb, we’ll say that Harley-Davidson is far from the most popular brand amongst core Bike EXIF readers, and it’s plain to see from the comment section that many will always regard HDs as leaky, lumbering road sofas. That reputation may be fitting in some ways, but narrow-minded in others, as we regularly feature Harleys that break from the standard touring convention, with inverted forks, top-spec Öhlins parts and liberal doses of titanium and carbon fiber. Sounds a bit like a Rough Crafts build, doesn’t it?

If the idea of a ground-pounding V-twin with a performance image is up your alley, Rough Crafts’ parts catalog needs to be on your radar. Take the Racetail Seat and Fender Kit for example. With Rough Crafts’ signature chiseled styling, this lightweight combo dramatically transforms the tail of narrow-frame, 2018+ M8 models like the Streetbob, Fatbob, Heritage Classic, Low Rider (S), Softail Slim and Sport Glide.

Exemplified by builds like the NEIGHBORHOOD x Rough Crafts Street Bob and ‘Tarmac Raven,’ the Racetail makes our shortlist for any serious Softail build.

Long Ducktail Fender You know what you’re getting when you buy a late-model Softail, and when it comes to the back of the bike, you’re dealing with a pseudo-bobbed fender that looks like a cheap afterthought. It’s the kind of piece that clashes with any stylistic changes, especially if they’re aggressive. Perusing your aftermarket options, you’ll find all the typical HD fender styles, but nothing as eye-catching as Rough Crafts’ Long Ducktail Fender.

This high-quality fiberglass fender is shaped over a 3D mold and mounts directly to the Softail’s rear fender strut mounts—making installation a breeze. It’s compatible with 2018 and up M8 Softails and works with most solo seats designed for the stock fender.

As used on Rough Crafts’ 10th anniversary ‘Thunder Chaser’ build, the Ducktail fender completely reshapes the Softail’s profile, creating a more aggressive, svelte line. Compare that with the pontoon it replaces, and we’re willing to bet you’d be hard-pressed to find a single, more impactful, bolt-on piece.

Faster Track Seat and Fender While Rough Crafts is best known for custom Harley builds, Winston’s signature style blends seamlessly with other genres as well. Take the Yamaha XSR900 for instance, a bike that’s easily one of the tougher models to transform visually with its awkward mechanical clutter. However, one look at Rough Crafts’ XSR street tracker alerts us to the platform’s endless possibilities, and Winston designed his XSR to be as easy to replicate as possible.

Winston’s mechanical upgrades to the XSR were moderate by his own admission, but his custom carbon-fiber panels make the XSR feel like a completely different motorcycle. The fuel tank bears the telltale Rough Crafts lines, but they’re actually tank covers executed in carbon fiber and fit the OE fuel tank.

The flat track-style seat is the biggest departure from stock, making an aggressive statement where Yamaha’s overhanging fender and plate mount used to reside. The visual effect is massive, but it’s actually a simple bolt-on affair developed by Rough Crafts to work with the stock subframe. Built from lightweight carbon fiber, the Faster Track Seat comes with an upholstered saddle and stainless-steel brackets for mounting and even accommodates the stock two-up seat pad.

Iron Guerilla Gas Tank Harley’s classic Sportster fuel tank is one of the most timeless tank designs ever penned. It’s functional, creates a smooth no-nonsense look on any bike, and can be run low, high or full Frisco. To keep with the times, HD increased the size of the Sporty tank in the early 2000s—softening its aesthetics—and swapping your Sporty back to the lean early design is one of the best ways to bring the sharp edge back to your bike.

Rough Crafts’ Iron Guerilla Fuel Tanks are direct-fit pieces for Sportsters from 2004 to 2022, offered in both carbureted and fuel-injected versions. The trim 2.45-gallon capacity tank looks like a Sporty tank should, without sacrificing fuel range, and the scalloped tank sides are a huge upgrade over off-the-shelf tanks.

An essential piece of a Rough Crafts’ Harley build, the Iron Guerilla tank design is used on bikes like Bomb Runner, Obsidian Fighter and more, often highlighted by pinstriping and contrasting finishes.

Guerilla Diamond-Stitched Solo Seat Quality motorcycle seats are damn expensive, and if you peruse all the normal sites, you’re met with options ranging from $300 to over $500. Sure, some of them look nice, but you’re unlikely to field compliments by being another guy to bolt on a Saddleman.

If you’re rocking a 2004 to 2022 Harley Sportster, Rough Crafts’ Guerilla Solo Seat is a high-quality piece with an agreeable price tag. A boost in comfort and cosmetics, the diamond-stitch Guerilla solo seat is built with premium materials and is a direct fit for the ’04 to ’22 Sporty. Run it solo for the bare-bones look as seen on the Iron Guerilla, or go two-up with Rough Crafts’ matching Passenger Pillion Pad.

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