car care

We all love summer, don’t we? It brings warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and family BBQs. It can also bring long to-do lists from spring cleaning to planting your garden and everything in between. One must do every year should be your car’s spring maintenance check.  Winter can be harsh on our cars so before we hit the road for that family vacation or the picnic at the park, it’s important to step into car care with maintenance. If you’ve been wondering what kinds of maintenance checks your car needs in spring, keep reading for our car care checklist.

Tires

Snow and ice can cover bumps and holes in the road leaving your tires susceptible to damage – which is why it’s important to add your tires to your spring maintenance checklist. You’ll want to inspect your tires for tread life and check your tire pressure to make sure they are properly inflated. Neglecting these issues now can lead to safety issues later. While you’re down there checking your tire pressure, be sure to inspect your rims for dents or damage. Lastly, ask your mechanic to rotate and balance your tires for a more enjoyable ride this spring and summer.

Suspension

Whether you’ve just hit that pesky pothole or had some rough driving on snow & ice over the winter, your suspension can take a little beating. Some signs that your suspension system needs some attention include usually bumpy rides, pulling to one side after turning corners, difficulty steering, and continued bouncing after hitting bumps. Spring is a great time to have your mechanic check your struts and/or shocks to make sure your suspension system is in working order.

Alignment

If you’ve inadvertently hit some snow-covered obstacles on the road this winter, you may need to have your alignment checked as well. Signs your car’s alignment needs checking include squealing tires, pulling to one side while driving, noisy steering, and uneven or rapid tire wear. If you notice any of these signs or if it’s been a while since you had your alignment checked, ask your mechanic to check it out.

Fluid Levels

After a long winter, it may have been a while since your fluid levels were last checked. Ask your mechanic to check your coolant, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluids are filled to the proper level.

Air Conditioning

It’s been a while since you’ve needed to use your air conditioning. Ask your mechanic to perform a simple AC output test to make sure your AC is ready to go during the dog days of summer.

Wipers

The winter elements can dull your wiper blades over time. Spring is the perfect time to replace those dull blades for new ones to ensure you’re ready for those heavy spring and summer rains.

Headlights, Taillights, & Turn Signals

You’ll want to have your lights inspected to make sure they survived the winter. Winter weather and salt for the roads can cause your headlights and taillights to yellow which can reduce visibility and create a night time driving hazard. Ask your mechanic to refurbish or replace any yellowed headlights and replace any burnt out bulbs for a safe ride all summer long.

Cabin Air Filter

If your car was manufactured after 1999, then you have a cabin air filter. These filters keep pollen, mold, and other pollutants out of your car’s interior cabin to keep your inside air fresh and clean. Spring is the perfect time to have your mechanic replace this for your comfort in the coming summer months.

Belts & Hoses

Our bitterly cold temperatures can wreak havoc on your belts & hoses. Winter elements can cause cracks and tears which leave your belts & hoses vulnerable. A broken vehicle belt or hose can cause a breakdown no matter where you’re driving. Save yourself the headache and ask your mechanic to inspect them this spring.

If you’re ready to ensure safe and enjoyable driving all spring and summer long, then now is the time to bring your car in for a spring maintenance check. Simple call to make an appointment – our team is ready to help!