Spring Into Vehicle Maintenance

Spring season is just a day away! Millions of Americans will take to the roads to enjoy the upcoming months of warmer weather. 

The friendly folks at The Car Care Council remind motorists that it’s a perfect time of year to make sure your vehicle is in tip top condition & ready for the upcoming travel season.

Whether you’re headed out on a roadtrip or you’re just doing your regular in-town errands, The Car Care Council (and us too!) recommend the following checks before embarking on your next road trip:

Exterior:

Wiper blades – They play a major role in your driving visibility! Poorly functioning wiper blades can make it difficult for us to see in rainy conditions. Be sure to inspect for cracks, tears or general wear. If you see anything out of the ordinary, it may be time to replace them.

Tires – It’s a necessity to check your tire’s every month, but it’s especially important to check them before a road trip. A simple test to check tire tread depth is to insert a penny into the tread of the tire. If the top of Lincoln’s head sticks out, your tires are starting to show signs of wear and should be replaced soon. We also encourage you to check the tire inflation! If you have any doubts, just give us a call and we can get you fixed right up.

Washing – With winter’s salty roads & general, treacherous driving conditions, your vehicle needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Always clean the tires & wheels before washing the body and consider using a different cleaning towel for each job.

Paint damage – With all of our recent potholes, our vehicle has been put through the ringer. Not only can potholes damage the mechanical components of your vehicle, but it can also kick up broken asphalt and rocks causing physical damage. If you find minor paint damage, cover the paint chips as quickly as possible.

Under the Hood:

Oil change – Changing your car’s oil and filter every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first, will ensure that your car operates properly! Haven’t had your oil changed in a while? Swing on by!

Tune-up – Visit our shop for a quick tune-up! Let us check your battery, engine mechanisms, powertrain, fuel, ignition & even emissions. We thoroughly inspect your vehicle to make sure it’s in tip top condition.

Check fluids –  There are several fluids that require attention, including engine oil, power steering fluid, brake and transmission fluids. Oh and don’t forget windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant. Have us check them out too. These lubricants are necessary for a properly working vehicle.

Under the Vehicle:

Brake check – Spring is a good time to check the entire braking system on your vehicle, including brake linings, rotors and drums. Brake issues that start out small often turn into larger & more expensive issues, so don’t delay if your vehicle is experiencing braking issues.

Shocks & Struts – Remember when we mentioned potholes above? Well potholes can cause damage to the uncarriage of your vehicle. Let us inspect your shocks & struts for you. Or if you’re experiencing changes in your vehicle’s brakes, give us a call before it’s too late.

Fluid puddles – If you’ve noticed fluid puddles or stains under your vehicle this winter (that wasn’t rain or snow), it’s probably a good idea to have your vehicle inspected. Coolant, brake fluid, engine oil are among the many causes of these leaks & it’s important to address it right away.

For more information on how we can help get your vehicle ready for springtime, just give us a call! One of our friendly associates is standing by.