April is National Car Care Month
Articles
Mar 27th, 2017
Have you had your car in for a tune-up lately?
As the seasons change, so does the type of maintenance required for your car’s best interest. As we move from winter to spring it means doing some routine preparations to make sure your car is safe for yourself and your precious passengers. The winter is often hard on any vehicle for various reasons, from the road conditions to the unpredictable weather, and as we all know Spring is otherwise known as pothole season.
Here’s a guide to follow as the snow melts, the roads open up and the sun shines.
Things to check:
- Air Conditioning Unit. Spring is the optimal time to have your vehicle’s air conditioning system inspected and serviced to ensure maximum cooling performance for the summer months ahead.
- Belts and Hoses. During the winter, your engine was exposed to cold air while off and heat while running. This fluctuation in temperature can be particularly rough on your hoses and belts.
- Wiper Blades. The winter can be hard on wiper blades as well. Since we’re entering a rainy season, it is highly recommended that you check your wiper blades for efficiency.
Oil. Oil changes are needed approx. two times a year. After a cold winter, changing your oil will help bring your car into spring in the best way. - Brakes. Wet, slippery roads can be dangerous, especially if your brakes haven’t been checked recently. The winter doesn’t necessarily do any damage to your brakes, but if you haven’t had them checked in a while, now would be a good time.
- Battery. A vehicle’s battery should be maintained regularly to be able to support the increasingly high demand for electrical power. A battery service prevents corrosion and preserves the battery’s full power for easy, immediate starting. We recommend a battery service once a year to extend the life and improve the reliability of a vehicle’s battery.
- Tires. Tires should be properly inflated, to ensure you get good traction on wet roads. You may have problems accelerating, turning, or stopping on wet surfaces.
- Alignment. Winter driving can take its toll on your vehicle’s steering and suspension system. A simple alignment check can quickly identify any adjustments that may be needed to the steering angles. Properly aligned tires will track straight and true, which not only improves fuel economy but also maximizes the life of the tire, saving you money in the long run.
