National Name Your Car Day: a quick fall car check to do first

Tomorrow is National Name Your Car Day, a lighthearted day for giving your vehicle a personal name. Plenty of cars already have one. Whatever yours is called, the start of fall is a good time to give it a little attention before the rainy and cold months.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a simple checklist for getting a car ready for winter weather. The first step costs nothing: look up your vehicle identification number at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car has an open safety recall.

Tires come next. NHTSA suggests checking tire pressure once a month when the tires are cold, meaning the car has not been driven for at least three hours. Tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch deep, and uneven wear is a sign something needs attention. The agency also suggests having a mechanic test your battery and charging system and check for leaks and worn hoses or belts.

Wipers matter more than people think once the first rain arrives. Worn blades smear instead of clear, and NHTSA recommends replacing them and making sure the defrosters work.

Tonight, look up your recall status on your phone. It takes about two minutes, and you can do it while you think of a name.