With all of the things to keep track of — the battery life on your phone, the kids’ schedules, plans for the weekend-it can be difficult to cram in all of the necessities, like taking good care of your car in the fall season. There are a lot of things to take care of in your car, but a handy mnemonic to help you remember is the four Bs — blades, battery, brakes and belts.

Blades

Wiper blades are your first defense against accidents because they help you to see clearly and make smart decisions. Blades can get cracked or warped over time and their housing cases can become unbalanced, leading to poor visibility. Compound that poor visibility with dangerous driving conditions like snow or ice, and you could have a real problem. Wiper blades are easy to replace and relatively inexpensive. You can pick up a cheap set at almost any store if your current wipers aren’t cleaning up to your standards.

Battery

Heat in summer can actually reduce your battery life. A visual inspection will show you if your cables have corroded or if there is a problem with contact on the battery posts. Cleaning these is something that can and should be done by a professional. A professional mechanic can also check the battery power and recommend whether you should have the battery replaced. The last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere in the middle of bad weather with a dead battery.

Brakes

Good brakes are essential to the safe operation of your car, particularly on bad roads. If your brake pedal has a little extra give or goes all the way down to the floor, it is definitely time to have your brakes looked at by a professional. Sound is often your best indication of how your brakes are doing. If there is noise when you apply the brake, like metal on metal, there might be too much wear on the disks. If there is a grinding noise, you might have worn out the rotors or disks. Your best option is to have your car towed to the shop to prevent any possibility of an accident if your brakes are that worn down. Have your brakes checked regularly by an expert to avoid these problems.

Belts (and hoses)

There are several different belts and hoses in your engine. When the engine is cool, squeeze the hose to check for soft or mushy spots, which often occur around the clamps. You can also look for cracks, bulges or contamination of any sort with your eyes and with your hands. If hoses are damaged, replacement should take place immediately. A busted hose or belt will leave you stranded on the side of the road. If you have any questions, have your car inspected by an expert.

The simple fact is that in inclement weather you rely more on your car than you do in the summer, and the stakes are higher if there is a failure. There are a lot of things that can be checked in preparation for the winter, but the simplicity of the Four Bs makes it a really useful way to approach fall car care.