Why Fall Maintenance Matters in Spokane
Spokane's transition from summer to winter is fast. One week you're running the AC at 90°F, and a few weeks later you're scraping ice at 15°F. The window between October and early November is your best chance to catch problems that will leave you stranded once the cold hits. Here's your fall checklist.
1. Battery Test
A battery that barely made it through last winter won't survive this one. A load test takes five minutes and tells you exactly how much cranking power remains. Most batteries last 3–4 years in Spokane. If yours is in that range, test it now — not on the first 10°F morning.
2. Cooling System Inspection
Check the antifreeze concentration with a refractometer — it should protect to at least -34°F for Spokane winters. Inspect all hoses for soft spots, cracks, and swelling. A hose that fails in January means a tow and possibly engine damage from overheating.
3. Heater & Defroster Check
Turn on your heater and defroster now, before you need them. A heater that blows lukewarm might have a stuck thermostat, low coolant, or a partially clogged heater core. A defroster that doesn't clear the windshield quickly is a visibility hazard.
4. Tire Inspection or Winter Tire Swap
Check tread depth on all four tires — you need at least 4/32" for safe winter traction. If you run dedicated winter tires, now is the time to have them mounted and balanced. All-season tires are a compromise; dedicated winters make a real difference on Spokane's icy hills.
5. Brake Inspection
Good brakes matter year-round, but on ice and snow they're critical. Have your pad thickness, rotor condition, and brake fluid checked. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point and can cause spongy braking — a fluid flush every 2 years prevents this.
6. Wiper Blades & Washer Fluid
Replace your wiper blades if they streak or skip. Switch to a winter-rated washer fluid that won't freeze. Spokane's winter road spray coats windshields with a film of salt and grime — good wipers and fluid are a safety essential.
7. Lights Check
Walk around the car and check every light: headlights (low and high beam), taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and reverse lights. Winter means shorter days and more driving in the dark. A burned-out headlight also gets you pulled over.
8. Emergency Kit
Keep in your car: jumper cables or a portable jump starter, a blanket, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a small shovel, and a phone charger. Spokane's winter weather can turn a 20-minute commute into a 2-hour ordeal.
Schedule Your Fall Service
All Motors Center offers a comprehensive fall inspection that covers everything on this list. Call (509) 655-7715 to book yours before the October rush.