Seasonal Car Care: How to Prepare Your Car for Autumn

Autumn weather creates the perfect storm for wear and tear: 

• Rainfall, mud, and leaves can dull, stain, and scratch your paintwork. 
• Shorter days mean you rely more on lights and clear glass. 
• Mud and damp interiors can cause unsightly stains that accelerate wear and tear. 

But there’s no need to worry, with a few smart detailing steps, you can avoid these issues and drive through autumn with confidence.

Start by washing away all the harmful contaminants to give your car a refreshed exterior after a long summer. During autumn, the exterior of your vehicle faces extended exposure to damp conditions, heavier grime, and fallen leaves. Rainwater often mixes with dirt and chemical pollutants from the road, creating a corrosive film that can dull paint and etch into the clear coat if left untreated. Regular exterior cleaning with the right products helps prevent scratches, stains, and long-term damage, keeping your car looking sharp and well-maintained.

• Dial up the cleaning power with M.A.X Power Car Wash by simply increasing the concentration to cut through the toughest soils and remove contaminants.  
• Use a dedicated wheel cleaner like Redline Wheel Cleaner to remove brake dust and road grime that accumulates faster in wet, leaf-strewn months, eroding the finish. 

Tip: Don’t forget to clean your wheel arches because they often trap mud, leaves, and road grime, which can cause harmful corrosion. 

Early in autumn, you’ll want to give your wax or ceramic coating a quick touch-up with a spray wax to rejuvenate that mirror-like shine and strengthen your vehicle’s layer of protection against harsher weather conditions that can dull and damage paintwork. Think of it like applying a conditioner after shampooing your hair, so it locks in protection and helps you maintain a healthy surface.

• Apply a wax, spray sealant, or ceramic coating to create a protective barrier.  
• Pay special attention to lower panels and sills that you’d like to protect from soils and salts during the colder season. 
• Reapply regularly during the season because a protective layer is most effective when maintained. 

We recommend using Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating for a long-lasting barrier against grime, water, and pollutants. Formulated with SiO2 technology, the coating delivers extreme water-beading action and chemical resistance for up to a year.  

Tip: Well-protected paintwork not only keeps your car glossy but also saves time and effort on cleaning later.

With shorter days and more frequent rain, it can feel like you’re constantly driving through a haze. Fogged-up windscreens, streaks, water spots, and dull headlights all make it harder to get a clear view of the road. The good news? Keeping your windscreen, mirrors, and lights clean restores visibility and helps you drive with confidence in any weather.

• Clean all glass inside and out with a streak-free cleaner like Dash & Glass. 
• Apply ClearVue Rain Repellent to your windscreen and mirrors to improve visibility even in the heaviest rainfall.  
• Restore dull or foggy headlights with our Speed Headlight Lens Repair & Renewal Kit. 

Tip: Replace worn wiper blades and keep washer fluid topped up to help keep your windscreen as clear as possible.

Autumn doesn’t just leave its mark on your car’s exterior — it finds its way inside too. Muddy shoes, damp coats, and fallen leaves quickly take a toll that could leave your interior looking tired and less inviting. Moisture and grime not only ruin the aesthetics of your interior, but if left untreated, they can leave behind tough stains and persistent odours. These issues not only make your cabin less comfortable but also diminish your vehicle's value.  

• Vacuum carpets and seats regularly to remove soil buildup. 
• Use Power Out Carpet & Mats cleaner to deep clean and deodorise your carpet and floor mats.
• Switch to your more durable rubber floor mats, designed to withstand the heavier soils and prevent damp from seeping into your carpets. 
• Wipe down dashboards, door panels, and hard surfaces with Hybrid Solutions Inside Job Interior detailer, restoring a clean, natural finish while leaving behind a light, fresh scent. 

Tip: Keep a pack of Interior 1 Multi-Purpose Wipes in the glovebox for touch-ups on the go. 

Alongside detailing, a few key maintenance checks help your car stay reliable and safe: 

• Check battery condition — cold mornings can reduce performance. 
• Inspect tyres for tread and correct pressure - wet leaves and slippery roads demand maximum grip for safety. 
• Check lights, wipers, and washer fluid levels - good visibility is your first line of defence in autumn. 

Create your autumn car detailing kit:  
M.A.X Power Car Wash shampoo 
Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating  
Redline Wheel Cleaner 
Power Out Carpet & Mats