Getting Your Car Ready For Spring: The Most Important Tips

While most of us are probably ready for spring to arrive, your car is going to need a little bit of help before you are ready to roll. There is all sorts of maintenance to consider before winter arrives. This season tends to take a major toll on our vehicles. The damage that is caused is not always readily apparent, either.

This is the time to make sure that the vehicle is prepared for springtime. These are the most important tips and pointers when it comes time to get your car ready:

Examine The Battery

The average car owner typically expects their battery to expire during the winter months. In reality, the exact opposite is true. While they can still die during the wintertime, they also need to be taken care of before spring arrives. Free battery testing is available at a wide range of national chains, so that you can find out whether a new one has to be purchased.

Check The Cabin’s Air Filter

If the interior of the car has started to take on an “interesting” scent, this is a sure sign that the cabin air filter needs to be checked. Car owners are often blissfully unaware of their air filter but the process of changing one is as easy as it gets. If you need any further assistance, NAPA is happy to provide you with a simple step by step guide.

Schedule a Wheel Alignment

The winter roads are filled with all sorts of obstacles that can do some serious damage to a car’s wheel alignment. When the wheels are not in alignment, a number of other issues can come up. The vehicle’s suspension experiences more stress. The tires can start to experience wear and tear that is uneven. That’s why it is important to regularly schedule wheel alignment.

Test The A/C

The air conditioner still needs to run occasionally, even when it is cold outside. For best results, run the air conditioner for 15 minutes per month during the cold weather months. This ensures that the system

remains fresh and active. It also keeps you from experiencing worse issues once the summertime rolls around.

Check on All Fluids

Antifreeze, windshield washer solvent, transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid all need to be checked. If these fluids are not checked before the springtime, the car is not going to run properly. Many motorists do not know that these fluids are running low until their vehicle is damaged. An auto technician can make sure that this step is taken care of.

Don’t Forget To Change The Oil

Thin oil tends to flow more easily and this is the oil that we rely upon during the winter. Once spring and summer are around the corner, it is in the best interests of a motorist to make the switch to a thicker form of oil. Changing the oil also ensures better performance for the vehicle. The engine will run more smoothly and should last much longer.

Clean The Vehicle Underbody

While many of us take pride in washing the exterior of the vehicle, we do not always take the time to wash the underbody. Please be sure to do so. Salt can build up beneath the car and in all sorts of hidden areas. You can handle this process yourself but for best results? Heading to a car wash is recommended.

Take a Closer Look At The Brakes

If you are hearing grinding noises when you use the brakes in your vehicle, this is a sure sign that they need to be checked immediately. Even if the brakes are not currently making any sort of noise, the car should still be checked out by a professional. It’s never a bad idea to be proactive instead of reactive. National retailers are always more than happy to offer the necessary inspections.

Wiper Blade Replacement

This is not something that people usually take the time to consider during the winter months but it is very important once spring and summer roll around. The spring rains can be heavy and this will cause the wiper blades to peel off entirely. Even if your blades do not appear to need replacement, they may still need to go. Check the windshield beforehand. If they are leaving streaks, this is another sign that they are in dire need of replacement.

Check The Tires

This is arguably the most crucial task on this list. Most cars have been outfitted with all season tires but that does not mean that they should not be checked. These tires are usually reliable in all climates but they do not offer the flexibility that you need.

That is because they tend to stiffen up and develop cracks during the winter months. Auto service retailers can check out yours and make sure that you are not driving on cracked tires this spring and summer. Tires that are cracked do not grip the slippery, rainy roads of spring as well.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »