Potholes. Freezing rain. Puddles of snow and slush! Your car went through a lot this winter. Is it ready for a season of blistering heat and epic family road trips? Get your ride ready for warm weather with these essential spring maintenance services.
Here's the Car Maintenance Your Ride Really Wants
1. Invest in an oil change.
Your vehicle’s motor oil does a very important job: the oil lubricates the engine's moving parts and keeps it from overheating. After months of winter weather, your motor oil and oil filter are gunky, worn out, and no longer as effective as they once were. An oil change will get your vehicle ready for spring, and oil change coupons will get you ready for saving money!
2. Check essential fluids.
Oil isn’t the only fluid that might need refreshing come spring. Your coolant, brake, and transmission fluid also need attention at regular intervals. Like motor oil, these fluids can become less effective over time. Consult your vehicle's recommended maintenance schedule and remember: the change in seasons is the perfect time to see if these fluids need changing, too.
3. Replace wiper blades and top off wiper fluid.
If it’s been a snowy, icy winter, your windshield wipers have been working overtime. Worn down wipers reduce visibility, which is extremely important while driving. In fact, an astounding 90% of all driving decisions are based solely on visual cues, reports the American Optometric Association.
Before spring showers hit, replace your wiper blades and fill up your windshield wiper reservoir so you can see the road clearly.
4. Scrub headlights.
Speaking of being able to see clearly… strong, bright headlights are also crucial for safe driving. If you’ve noticed that your lights seem dim, they may just need a good scrubbing. Use some toothpaste, a toothbrush, a clean rag, and water to clean your headlights. If they still seem dim after a thorough cleaning, you may need to replace your bulbs.
5. Stop by for a battery test.
Are you exhausted after a harsh winter? Then you can empathize with your car battery. Extreme temperatures (in both directions) are hard on your vehicle’s battery, as they make it work harder by slowing down its chemical reactions.
Stop by your nearest Tires Plus for a free battery check. Our team of experts can let you know how much longer your car battery may live. We can even give you a prediction of what temperature ranges will likely cause it to fail.
6. Evaluate under-the-hood belts and hoses.
Your vehicle’s belts and hoses have very important jobs, from ensuring your engine doesn’t overheat to controlling your power steering. Unless you have a trained automotive eye, this is one task that is best left to the professionals! Stop by your nearest Tires Plus for a complete vehicle inspection and one of our technicians will perform a hands-on inspection of your car's belts, hoses, steering components, and other major systems.
7. Replace various filters.
Your oil filter isn’t the only filter that needs replacing come spring.
- Your air filter removes dust and debris from the air before it goes into the engine.
- Your cabin air filter cleans the air before it flows through your air conditioner, preventing you from getting a face full of pollen, dust, and other pollutants.
- Your fuel filter keeps dirt, debris, and other contaminants from obstructing and clogging up your fuel lines.
8. Check tire pressure and tread.
Did you know that a tire can gain or lose one pound per square inch for every 10-degree Fahrenheit change in temperature? Temperature affects tire pressure, and both under-inflated and over-inflated tires can cause problems on the road. That’s why it’s vital to check your tire pressure regularly as the weather changes. You can find your recommended tire pressure in your manufacturer’s manual or by using the Tires Plus tire pressure monitor tool.
While you're down near your tires, do the penny test to check tread depth. Remember, worn tires can increase your chances of getting a flat or losing traction.
Not sure where to start? Your local Tires Plus is here to help. Schedule an appointment to take care of any of the above services. Our friendly technicians will make sure your car gets the right maintenance at the right time!
