October is Fall Car Care Month. This fall, a few simple step can help prepare your car for the cooler days ahead.

* Check oil and fluid levels and change them according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation.

* Consider checking your car’s belts for cracks and missing pieces and examine the  hoses for bulges, cracks, soft spots or brittleness.

* Be sure to check the operation of the windshield wipers and washers and all lights.

* Examine battery terminals regularly. Remove any corrosion with a toothbrush and a mix of baking soda and water.

* Give your vehicle with a thorough cleaning and waxing. It may help provide additional protection from the changing elements.

Source: Rain-X

While our local schools began their fall term mid- to late-August, during the first week of September more than 74 million students return to school, via bus or car, according to the U.S Census Bureau (and my trusty Rain-X calendar). Playing chauffeur to your kids — or allowing your teen to drive to school — may mean extra miles on your car.

Here are some tips to help keep your vehicle looking good and running well despite the increased use:

* Hit the books: Reacquaint yourself with your vehicle’s owner’s manual and study the recommended schedule of maintenance.

* Keep it clean: Introduce a weekly vehicle cleaning routine to remove the dirt, brake dust and road grime that can quickly collect through increased use.

* Be prepared: Keep your windshield clean and clear and make sure your wiper blades are in good shape for Colorado’s unpredictable autumn weather.

SpringsWheels writer Heather McDonnell explores that question over at her Mommy Blog. I don’t really know the answer. Maybe if you pour the milk right on the battery. But I’m pretty sure leaving a milk-filled baby bottle in your car until it turns stinky won’t do it. My guess is the battery in Heather’s car was old, and leaving the doors open, with the dome light on(?), probably drained it. But I’m no Click and Clack. And I’m not a mommy, so the mysteries and wonders of smelly milk and sock monkeys are beyond my understanding.

Go read the Pikes Peak Parent Mommy Blog and decide for yourself.

If you’re planning a family trip before back-to-school time, August’s car-care tips from my Rain-X calendar are designed to keep you off the side of the road waiting for a tow truck or roadside assistance.

This 10-minute pre-trip check-up will help make your journey a little easier:

* Check tire pressure and tread wear.

* Examine fluid levels and top them off if necessary.

* Inspect hoses and belts for any holes or leaks.

* Prepare an emergency kit for  your car in the event of a breakdown.

* When loading your vehicle, it is recommended to evenly distribute the weight as much as possible.

And if you’re a parent, you may want to practice saying these infamous lines:

“Don’t make me come back there.”

“I will turn this car around and go right back home.”

“Don’t put your hand out the window. You’ll pull back a bloody stump.”

“Stop touching your brother/sister.”

And the one my dad always said when we asked how much farther?: “Just up the pike a piece.”

I never understood that one. But it usually meant “a long way.”

Did you know the inside of your parked car can reach temperatures in excess of 180 degrees Fahrenheit? If you grew up in the 70s or earlier, you might remember cars with vinyl seats. If you remember the seats, you remember how unbearably hot they got in the summer. Shorts — or a swimsuit — and vinyl car seats in the summer were a combination I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. We may not have vinyl seats to contend with (in most cars) but steering wheels, door handles and seat belt buckles can get really hot up on a warm day. The heat and sun can do a number on your vehicle — not to mention your hands (or other body parts).

To help you combat the ravages of summer, here are some tips from my handy-dandy Rain-X calendar this month:

Park in the shade whenever possible.

Open doors and let the air circulate in the car for a few minutes before getting in.

Use a sunshade to shield the dash from UV rays and lower temperatures.

Wash your vehicle regularly and try using a quality wax with a UV absorber.

Consider having your cooling and air-conditioning systems serviced annually.

I hate to admit this, but I put off getting my car’s oil changed. My car has an oil life monitor, and at 15 percent, an indicator displays when I turn on the car. A little wrench lights up, and the display shows the oil life. I can turn it off during that trip, but it comes back on each time I start the car — just a little reminder that the oil life is almost up. I drove around for a while with that little wrench coming back on. One day, the wrench was there and the indicator said 5 percent. Apparently, once you reach 5 percent, the oil dies quicker because it dropped to 0 percent before the end of that trip. Today, I took the car to have for an oil change. The indicator went from -5 percent to -8 percent during the drive over. It gets really insistent.

Why do I put off my oil changes? I really don’t know. The service technicians at my local Honda dealership — Front Range Honda, 1001 S. Academy Blvd. — are awesome. They’re efficient and friendly. The waiting area is clean and bright, with free popcorn, coffee and doughnuts, plus they have free WiFi and a flat screen TV. An oil change doesn’t even take that long — I was in and out in less than an hour. (I didn’t even get to see who got eliminated from Rachel Ray’s new cooking competition.)

Next time my oil indicator tells me the oil life is at 15 percent, I’m going to be more efficient about getting the oil changed. It’s good for my car. If your car doesn’t have an oil indicator, check the owner’s manual for recommended intervals. Every three months or 3,000 miles used to be the standard, but some manufacturers recommend as many as 7,500 miles between oil changes. Our buddies over at Car Talk recommend changing your car’s oil every 5,000 miles.

Just make sure you find a place you trust, whether it’s the dealership, a quick lube place or a local mechanic. And don’t be afraid to ask for samples of their free coffee and doughnuts.

Happy Car Care Month! It may not carry as much excitement as a big holiday like Christmas, but National Car Care Month is the time of year to focus on taking better care of your second largest investment — your vehicle.

You love your car. You get oil changes on a regular basis. You don’t make jackrabbit stops and starts. You rinse the road grit off. I know you do, but I bet you sometimes take it for granted and assume that it will start right up no matter what. National Car Care Month serves as a reminder that there may be even more you can do to take care of your vehicle.

With gas prices hitting record highs, regular vehicle maintenance becomes even more important because it can increase gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, according to the Car Care Council.

“Consumers cannot control the price of gas at the pumps, but they can control the amount of gas they use,” says Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council in a press release. “The condition of tires, air filters and spark plugs can impact fuel economy and these components can be easily checked on a regular basis.”

During April, many auto repair shops and parts stores throughout the country celebrate National Car Care Month by offering special discounts on parts and service, handing out free Car Care Guides and hosting vehicle check-up events in the community. At these events, businesses volunteer their time to check components on vehicles that typically get overlooked, including tires, air filters, lubricants and fluids, belts and hoses, battery cables and lights. These free vehicle check-up events emphasize the importance of preventive maintenance and educate consumers about how to take proper care of their cars. Click here to find an event near you.

In addition, the Car Care Council’s Web site is loaded with information to help keep your car in tip-top shape. And you can find certified shops by visiting the Find a Shop page.

“If you don’t have the opportunity to visit a car care event in April, at least commit to having the vehicle checked on a regular basis to make sure it’s running at optimal performance,” says White.

This month’s tips from my Rain-X calendar focus on getting your car cleaned up after the snow, ice and related grit of winter driving. Not that I’m pretending winter is over here in Colorado, but the first day of spring is just a couple weeks away — even if spring weather continues to come and go for several weeks after that.

• Give your car a thorough hand washing inside and out. (For car washing tips, check out this article from the Car Care Council.) At the same time, look for stone chips, sand abrasions and rust.
• Clean and protect your car’s wheels and tires with a thorough washing and examine for any abrasion or scuffs. Inspect tire pressure and tread depth to ensure they meet the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Apply a wax coating to the vehicle’s exterior to help protect against the approaching spring and summer elements (and those lingering winter elements).

To raise awareness of clear vision and safe driving, Rain-X is teaming up with automotive expert Barbara Terry for the third annual Seemore Safety Campaign. On Feb. 2, a day when most drivers are turned it to the weather, the symbol of the campaign — Seemore the Safety Groundhog — will emerge from his den to spread his message of safety and remind motorists to change their wiper blades.

Seventy-eight percent of motorists only change their wiper blades after the blades themselves begin to impair their visibility and have become a potential safety hazard, according to a survey commissioned by Rain-X in 2007.

From the Seemore Safety Campaign: An easy way to remember to change your wiper blades is to replace them on Groundhog Day. Whether the Groundhog predicts six more weeks of winter weather or an early spring, new wiper blades are necessary to prepare you for six weeks of harsh winter driving conditions or six weeks of spring showers.

When inspecting wiper blades, look for the following:

• Broken frame — detachment of frame arms at joints or connection points
• Metal corrosion — especially at joints and claws
• Visible cracks, tears and missing pieces in the rubber squeegee’s edge
• Bend the rubber squeegee back and forth to see if it is still flexible. Aged squeegees will have difficulty conforming to the shape of your windshield and create streaks.
• Check squeegee wiping edge for rounded edges which can prevent the wiper blade from making strong contact with the windshield and reduces wipe quality
• Tug to ensure wiper blade has been securely installed on the wiper arm
• Check that squeegee is secure in the wiper frame

Additionally, here are this month’s tips from my Rain-X wall calendar:

• Never use your windshield wipers to de-ice your windshield. Instead, either use an ice scraper or use your defroster to melt snow and ice.
• Pull your wiper blades away from the windshield during winter months to prevent ice build up on the rubber squeegee and to prevent them from sticking to the windshield.
• Replace old wipers, as often as every six months, to help ensure and efficient wipe.

Because I’m the editor of The Gazette’s Automotive section, Rain-X sent me a 2008 calendar. Not only does each month feature a pretty cool car photo at the top — Porsches, Ferraris, Mustangs, BMWs and more — they also include maintenance tips for your own vehicle. And because my mom taught me to share, I’ll pass those tips along to you here.

• Have your oil and oil filter changed regularly, based on your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendation. Many now recommend every 5,000 miles, and some new cars even come with an oil life indicator that tells you when it’s time to change the oil.
• Perform a weekly walk-around to check for any leaks, faulty lights or other problems.
• Check tire pressure. You’ve probably noticed checking tire pressure is almost always on any list regarding car care and safety. That’s because under inflated tires can contribute to lower fuel economy, poor performance and uneven wear.
• Check to make sure your air filter is clean. A dirty air filter reduces gas mileage and the lifespan of your motor. You might consider checking it when you have your oil changed.

Implementing a proactive maintenance schedule can help you avoid being one of the more than 28 million motorists — according to AAA — who require roadside assistance each year.