By NORA CARTER / c. Cox News Service

October is an opportunity to take a breather between the back-to-school/fall sports chaos and the pre-holiday madness that presents itself right after Halloween.

It’s a good time to finish up those summer projects, rake leaves, plant a few bulbs and make preparations for the rainy season.

Perhaps this seasonal pause is part of the reason the Car Care Council has chosen October as National Car Care Month. Now is the perfect time to pay a little attention to that member of the family that lives in your driveway. You depend on that vehicle to get you everywhere. It’s a good idea to give it a thorough check before winter’s weather and busy pace gobble up your time and money.

We’re looking forward to shorter days, lower temperatures, wet streets, and in some cases new emissions tests for older vehicles that require them to be reasonably safe to drive.

Here’s some help to get your vehicle ready for the upcoming season. In fact, how about turning this into a fun, family project that will teach everybody the importance of keeping your vehicle safe and well-maintained?

* Make a checklist. Be sure to put the date on it so you will have a record of when it was done. Write down each individual item with a “good,” “bad” and “get repaired” column and a space for a check mark or comment.

* Assign everyone a task. Maybe the younger kids could be light watchers or horn honkers while the older ones can check the tires and keep score.

* We’ll start with the lights. Do all of your exterior lights work? Remember, some of the lights will work only when the ignition key is in the “on” position.

* Headlights, high beams, marker lights, right turn, left turn, emergency flashers. How is the headlight aim? When you are driving at night, do they light the road well?

* Taillights, tag lights, stop lights (including the high-mount stop light), right turn, left turn, emergency flashers, back-up lights (key on, transmission in reverse). Is there an under-hood light or a trunk light? Be sure to check them, too.Inside dome light, courtesy lights, glove box light, dash illumination lights (with headlights on), high-beam indicator, turn signal indicators.

* To check the red or amber warning lights, the ignition key needs to be in the “on” or “almost start” position. Some of the lights may come on and stay on, some may go out immediately, and some may flash off and on. All of them should go out within a few seconds after the engine is started or the vehicle is driven a few feet. If they don’t, put a big check mark in the “get repaired” column.

* Ready with the list? Oil, temperature, charge or “bat,” fluid levels, check or service engine soon, brakes and anti-lock brakes (separate lights) should cover the important ones. Are your windshield wipers working right? Wet the windshield and try them at all speeds. They should “park” at the bottom of the windshield when you turn them off. If you haven’t replaced the rubber blade inserts within the past year, now is the time to do it, before you need them on a dark, rainy night.

* Check the windshield washer operation, making sure the squirters are aimed at the windshield. If the plastic reservoir is empty, refill it with washer solvent, not plain water that can freeze and ruin the whole system.

* As long as you’re doing inside stuff, check the heater and defroster operation. Start the engine and give it a chance to warm up. While the engine is running, listen for any abnormal noises coming from the engine compartment. No squealing, clicking, clacking, knocking or howling? Good. Any of these noises warrant a description in the “get repaired” column on the checklist.

* Back to the heater. Move the fan selector switch through all speeds, low to high, and listen to the motor. No growling or ticking noises allowed, and it should change speeds smoothly. Move the heater selector lever or switch to each position. Does the air change outlets as the selector is moved? Heat on floor, defrost air directed to the windshield. Move the temperature selector from blue to red. Does the air temperature change from cool to warm?

* Feel the carpet on the front passenger’s side floor. Is it dry? A wet carpet can be an indication of a problem with the heater core. Turn on the rear window defroster. The back glass should get warm at each of the lines. Be careful! It can go from warm to hot in a hurry.

Nora Carter, who has 26 years of experience in the auto repair industry, is an automotive instructor at DeKalb Technical Institute in Atlanta and an ASE master automobile technician/L-1. Write her in care of Wheels, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, P.O. Box 4689, Atlanta, GA 30302. Or send comments online to [email protected] .tec.ga.us or 2wrenchs