While seasonal shifts may be less dramatic in some parts of the Golden State, autumn’s advance shouldn’t be ignored when maintaining your used car. Cooler weather can be accompanied by increased rain, leaves on the street, and other factors that impact your vehicle. It’s easy to ignore these effects, especially if you enjoy year-round sunshine, but every California driver should be ready for these changing conditions.

Performing fall-specific car upkeep is one way to help prevent many mechanical issues. Yet, despite the maintenance regime, car troubles can arise, especially brought about by fall weather. This is where an extended warranty or seguro averia mecanica (MBI) comes into play, offering protection against costly repairs that fall outside the scope of traditional auto insurance.

With this in mind, let’s explore how to prepare your car for autumn and how MBI can save the day if a breakdown occurs.

Did You Know?

In California, mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), sometimes called car repair insurance, is a heavily regulated product overseen by the California Department of Insurance (CDI). While an MBI policy is similar to an extended car warranty (or auto protection plan or vehicle service contract) in other states, California MBI plans must be submitted to the CDI for review, and providers must pass rigorous financial standards. In addition, MBI is distinct from car insurance. Unlike auto insurance, which primarily provides collision and comprehensive coverage, MBI focuses on mechanical failures.

The Impact of Leaf Debris on Your Vehicle

Depending on where you live, leaf accumulation on the ground can be substantial. This fallen foliage can then lead to a range of car-related issues.

• Clogged Air Filters: Motor filtros de aire are designed to remove impurities from the oxygen every internal combustion engine needs. Larger debris, like leaves, in the filter can impede airflow, reducing efficiency and engine performance. In extreme cases, a blocked air filter can lead to failed emissions testing and even engine damage.
• Blocked Drains: Most cars have drain holes to channel water away from the body. Leaf buildup can clog these drains, leading to water accumulation. Sunroofs are notorious for this issue, as the open glass invites stray leaves into the surrounding channels. Over time, pooled water promotes rust and can wreak havoc on the electric system if the wiring is impacted.
• Engine and Electrical Problems: Leaves can enter the engine compartment and interfere with the operation of the belts, pulleys, and other parts. In extreme cases, an errant leaf can introduce moisture into electrical components, causing systems to go haywire for no apparent reason. It’s possible for a leaf to make its way past the air filter and into the engine, which could cause damage.
• HVAC System Issues: Depending on your car’s design, the windshield base is ideal for leaves to build up. This accumulation can lead to unpleasant odors, reduced airflow, and strain on the system’s components. Eventually, the leaves can become moldy, introducing bacteria into the HVAC system and the cabin.

Tips to Prevent Leaf-Related Damage

• When possible, park in a garage or covered area.
• Get into the habit of removing leaves collected around the windshield, hood opening, and air intake.
• Check the air filter and air intake hose regularly for leaf accumulation, clean any debris, and change the filter as needed.
• Inspect your vehicle’s drainage system for blockage at least annually.
• If your car has a sunroof, look for signs of a drain blockage, including leaks into the cabin and water pooling along the exterior opening. Clean the sunroof drain holes as necessary.
• Pay attention to any unusual odors or decreased performance in your HVAC system.

Tire Wear: A Seasonal Concern

Fall’s arrival often means the start of the rainy season in some regions of California. This seasonal shift can impact tire performance and longevity and underscore the importance of having tires in good condition. Worn tires translate into less traction and an increased risk of hydroplaning.

Here are more details on how the fall season affects tires:

• Temperature Fluctuations: Colder temperatures reduce tire pressure. According to Goodyear, a tire can lose 1-2 pounds of pressure for every 10-degree drop in temperature. This can still be an issue in more moderate Southern California, as nighttime temperatures can get chilly. Lower tire pressure affects vehicle handling and fuel efficiency.
• Wet Roads: Rain-covered streets and highways are ripe for reduced traction and increased stopping distances. Driving on tires with good tread depth minimizes the risk of these hazardous driving situations.
• Leaf-Covered Streets: When fallen leaves cover the roadways, poor-condition tires can create dangerous driving conditions. Traction is further compromised when rain and loose leaves are combined.
• Uneven Wear: Even in the best circumstances, uneven tire wear can compromise handling and braking. Changing road conditions in the fall only amplifies matters, especially if your vehicle has alignment or suspension issues.

Regular tire inspections are critical throughout the year, especially during the fall. Check for:

• Correct inflation
• Uneven tread wear (a sign of an alignment or suspension problem)
• Adequate tread depth (2/32 of an inch is the California minimum, but drivability is affected at 4/32)
• Damage to the tread or sidewall (look for cuts, bulges, or embedded objects)

Tips to Maintain Tires in the Fall

• Regularly rotate the tires to promote even wear (typically every 5,000 miles).
• Have the alignment checked (especially if the car pulls to one side).
• Use a presión de llanta gauge or an onboard system to check tire pressure every month.
• Consider using all-season (or winter) tires for travel in areas with more extreme weather.

Preparing for Rain: Brake, Suspension, and Electrical Issues

While California doesn’t have a reputation for excessive rain, the fall brings its share of showers, some of which turn into downpours. Water exposure and excess moisture can impact your car in several ways:

Brake Problems

• Rusty Rotors: It doesn’t take much moisture to cause brake rotors to develop surface rust. In most cases, this corrosion will wear away quickly. However, repeated rust buildup can result in pitting, requiring rotor resurfacing or replacement.
• Stuck Brake Calipers: Brake calipers are prone to sticking when exposed to moisture, causing uneven braking and increased wear on the brake pads and rotors.
• Reduced Stopping Power: Wet brakes aren’t as effective as dry ones. This is usually temporary but can create a hazard for a driver who is used to short stopping distances.

Suspension Wear

• Bushing Deterioration: Bushings help various suspension components operate more smoothly, but moisture breaks down the rubber, eventually leading to a rougher ride and compromised handling.
• Shock and Strut Failure: Shocks and struts help provide a smooth and stable ride, but moisture eventually takes a toll on these metal components.

Electrical System Issues

• Short Circuits: While the electrical systems in modern cars are usually well protected, water has a knack for getting into places it’s not supposed to. The slightest bit of moisture on a wiring harness, circuit, or connector can cause problems ranging from minor hassles to wallet-draining disasters.
• Sensor Malfunctions: Many modern cars are loaded with dozens of sensors, all vulnerable to water exposure. Resulting problems can lead to everything from check engine lights to reductions in vehicle performance.

Tips to Minimize Rain-Related Car Problems

• Have the brakes and suspension inspected with every oil change.
• Be alert for any unusual sounds (screeching, clunking, etc.) that could signal a problem with the brakes or suspension.
• Pay attention to signs of electrical systems problems (equipment that doesn’t function normally, dim lights, blown fuses, a burning smell, or hard starting)
• Whenever possible, avoid driving through puddles and standing water.

Fall Maintenance and MBI Coverage: What’s Included?

The first step in safeguarding your car is understanding what seguro averia mecanica covers. Most mechanical breakdown coverage providers, including Endurance, offer different coverage levels with increasing protection for more components.

• Powertrain: Most plan options start with engine, transmission, and drive axle coverage. These are the most complex components and usually the most expensive to repair.
• Steering and Suspension: The steering and suspension work together to keep cars driving straight and smooth. Vulnerable parts include power steering components, control arms, and ball joints.
• Electrical Systems: Repairs to the electrical system can require elaborate diagnostic work and replacement of the alternator, starter, ignition system, or any of the numerous control modules and sensors.
• Fuel System: Beyond essential engine repairs, work on the fuel system usually involves the fuel pump, injection system, pressure regulator, or fuel tank.
• Air Conditioning and Heating: Uncomfortable cabin temperature often requires fixing an AC compressor, evaporator, condenser, or blower motor.

With that big-picture view of what MBI covers take care of, let’s look at some scenarios of how this coverage might help with a fall-related issue:

• Damage resulting from leaf debris entering the engine
• A defective control arm that makes wet-weather travel unsafe
• Electrical system troubles related to moisture exposure
• Brake system repairs beyond normal wear and tear
• A malfunctioning heater core

What Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Doesn’t Cover

While MBI provides extensive coverage for breakdowns and other problems, this protection isn’t 100%. Here’s what’s usually excluded from an MBI policy:

• Routine maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations, etc.)
• Wear and tear items (brake pads, windshield wipers, etc.)
• Damage from accidents, other incidents (like a flood), or environmental factors (covered by a traditional auto insurance policy)
• Cosmetic issues not related to mechanical problems
• Pre-existing conditions or problems resulting from lack of maintenance

Why Endurance MBI is Best for Your Car in the Fall

The Endurance approach to seguro averia mecanica coverage is all about flexibility. It’s a tiered approach that lets car owners select the policy that best meets their needs and budget. Different deductible options can make Endurance MBI even more tailored.

• Standard MBI: This essential MBI plan protects the powertrain (engine, transmission, drive axles, and powertrain) and other core components like the electrical system, suspension, air conditioning, steering, and brakes (it excludes consumable parts like the pads and rotors). The Standard Plan is stated component coverage, which defines everything protected up front.
• Premium MBI: The Premium Plan expands on the Standard MBI program by covering more components, such as additional electrical parts, fuel delivery and cooling systems, and luxury electronics.
• Elite Plus MBI: This exclusionary MBI plan covers most vehicle systems and components. Endurance Elite Plus MBI is similar to a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, with a few exclusions specified in the service agreement.

While MBI policies are specific to California, Endurance’s coverage extends nationwide, providing peace of mind during out-of-state road trips. Should a problem arise, the award-winning Endurance customer service team is a phone call away for prompt, professional assistance. Endurance also offers an exclusive smartphone app for even faster service.

Should a breakdown occur, here’s what’s really important to know about an Endurance mechanical breakdown insurance policy:

• Choose Any Licensed Repair Facility: Endurance customers can select any licensed shop for covered repairs. This includes dealer service departments and specialized service centers.
• Easy Claims Processing: Endurance offers numerous ways to start the claims process, including phone, email, and app. The repair shop can also submit the claim.
• Direct Administration: All claims are handled in-house at Endurance. There’s no dealing with a third-party administrator that can slow the claims process and delay repairs. The Endurance claims department works directly with the repair facility.
• Benefits: Endurance includes roadside assistance/towing reimbursement, rental car support, and trip interruption protection with every MBI policy.

Endurance MBI: Protection for the Fall and Beyond

Learn all the advantages of Endurance mechanical breakdown insurance by calling (800) 253-8203 to speak with an advisor. Explore your type of coverage options, costs, and policy details. Read the Blog Endurance to review insightful articles about seguro averia mecanica, car repair advice, maintenance tips, and more.