September marks the season of transition—kids heading back to school, college campuses coming alive and summer giving way to fall. Some 54 million school-age children walk or bike to school or pass through the school zone after exiting a vehicle.

Is your car ready for busy school streets and shuttling students to weekday events? Does it suffer from the fatigue of summer road trips and extreme heat?

Some of those concerns are easy to identify. Others are more subtle and require a professional eye.

“A post-summer inspection can identify small problems before they become expensive repairs,” said Tony Molla, a national host of an auto-related podcast who has 40 years of vehicle service experience.

“Remember that the best insurance you can have against unexpected repairs is regular vehicle maintenance.”

Here’s our post-summer safety and vehicle maintenance checklist:

1. Inspect brake pads. They take the brunt of summer driving. Brake pads wear down quickly in hot weather, especially when navigating winding mountain roads and hauling trailers or boats.

Listen for squeaks and squeals coming from the wheel well. Those are early indicators that your vehicle’s brake pads need replacing.

2. Check tires tread depth, sidewall bulges and cracks. According to Bridgestone, hot summer days can cause overinflation, which leads to uneven tire wear and less traction. That’s a problem on slippery autumn roads. 

Also, prolonged exposure to UV light can cause rubber to crack–especially a problem for vehicles parked outside.

Remember, brakes may apply the force to stop the wheels, but your tires are the only parts of your vehicle that grip the road.

3. Ensure proper alignment. Have your mechanic check your vehicle’s alignment when they check your tires. The two go hand in hand. Problems with vehicle alignment can cause steering issues and uneven wear on your car’s tires.

4. Check your windshield for chips and cracks. Ensure your vision isn’t impaired by getting any cracks in your windshield fixed, A small chip can lead to a large crack that requires expensive windshield replacement.

5. Replace wiper blades. Keep your window smear-free during those first autumn showers. Summer heat and UV rays also accelerate hardening and cracking of the rubber components in your car’s wiper blades.

Replace worn out blades so you can have a smear-free view of busy crosswalks and driving to evening events.

6. Install a new cabin air filter. Contaminants from dusty roads collect in your vehicle’s air intake system. A new filter can help keep your cabin clean and reduce allergens.

7. Check the PCV valve, which helps your engine burn cleanly. A clogged PCV valve can lower fuel economy, make your vehicle engine idle poorly and possibly leak oil.

8. Battery charge test. Get a car battery charge test before the temperatures drop in late September. A weakened battery can leave you stranded on a cold September morning.

9. Engage your emergency (parking) brake. Is it loose or spongy? Extensive use during summer driving may have slackened the tension. A loose parking brake requires immediate attention.

10. Check front and back seat belts. Does the clasp click into place firmly? Do you see any strap tears or cracks? Seat belts are critical safety equipment. If you notice any problems, let your service advisor know.

Other September car and driving tips to consider:

• Restock emergency kit. Whether you’re five minutes or 50 minutes from home, a well-equipped emergency kit can help you in a jam. After summer travels, there may have been a few items used or misplaced. Stow items such as a first-aid kit, flashlight and batteries, jumper cables, road flares or reflectors and cell phone chargers.
• Pre-treat glass surfaces with water repellant. Unpredictable September weather can reduce your visibility. Water repellent sprays are designed to make water bead up and roll off your windshield to help keep your visibilty clear.
• Does your vehicle horn operate properly? If it is raspy or weak, consider replacing the speaker.