6 Checks Your Vehicle Needs to Ring in Spring
You may be ready for spring, but is your vehicle? Just because you got a tune-up or took care of some general maintenance before winter hit, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
Winter weather takes a heavy toll on your car. The damage may be hidden and you don’t want any nasty surprises down the road. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your vehicle’s ready for spring.
1. Tire check
Most of today’s vehicles come outfitted with all-season tires. While they’re safe and flexible, they don’t have quite as much give as snow tires.
They tend to get stiffer in the cold weather, which means cracks and other damage can occur. Take your vehicle in for a tire inspection. It may be a good idea to get a rotation, too, depending on what your expert technician tells you.
2. Take a “brake”
What happens when you step on the brakes?
Do you hear a grinding sound? It’s time to pay a visit to your trusted mechanic. Even if you don’t hear or feel anything amiss, it’s still a good idea to get an inspection.
3. Don’t forget the underbody
It’s natural to want the outside of your vehicle to look shiny and clean.
What you may not think about is all the crud that builds up underneath the car during a winter full of slush and salt. An automatic car wash is a great choice for getting rid of all the gunk that’s built up in the nooks and crannies you can’t see.
4. Oil change
Always follow your owner’s manual recommendations for oil-change frequency. But if you’ve used a thinner oil for the winter months, you’ll need to change back to a thicker oil.
5. Get a fluid, belt, and hose check
Your vehicle uses a variety of different fluids to run properly. You may not even realize a fluid is low or dirty until it has caused costly damage.
Regular checks can prevent this – especially after a harsh winter.
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Have your mechanic look at:
- Power steering fluid.
- Brake fluid.
- Transmission fluid.
- Windshield-wiper solvent.
- Antifreeze/coolant.
Belts and hoses can become cracked or damaged during the cold temps. Your mechanic will give these areas the once-over, too.
6. A/C inspection
The spring can often bring days that are just warm enough to use your air conditioning. Have your auto technician take a look at your A/C now so that it’s ready to go when the heat hits. In fact, it’s a good rule of thumb to let it run for about 15 minutes every once in a while during the winter just to keep the system fresh and active.
Conrad’s can handle it
Follow these tips to make sure your car is ready to go this spring.
For all of these checks and inspections, Conrad’s can be your go-to.
Give us a call or stop into one of our locations today.
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