What to do For a Spring Tune-up
After a long winter, it’s time to head out for a drive in the spring sunshine. To get the full enjoyment and safety out of your car after a cold, wet winter, make sure to do a thorough spring tune-up of your car, inside and out. Vehicles have unique needs to run smoothly each season, and these are the critical checkpoints to pay attention to when the weather begins to warm up:
• Tires – Should be thoroughly inspected each season, especially before and after the winter months. Snow tires should be checked for wear and tear before removing them and replacing them with the car’s standard tires. This ensures that they’re ready and in good condition when you’ll need them again next winter. Standard tires should be put back on the car and checked for pressure. Wheel alignment should be checked, as it’s easy for them to be thrown out of alignment after driving over winter potholes and icy ridges that build up along the sides of the roads.
• Battery – Cold temperatures cause the battery to exert itself more when starting, leading it to wear down quicker in the winter months. Spring is the perfect time to check the battery and ensure that there is still life in it after the strain of the cold temperatures.
• Brakes – The brakes and rotors can take a lot of wear and tear when slowing down and stopping in icy and wet winter conditions. Cold temperatures can also cause heavy brake corrosion, so they should be inspected thoroughly to make sure they are in perfect working condition after the winter.
• Washing – All car parts should be thoroughly washed when heading into spring. Winter driving causes a buildup of salt from the roads to form on the exterior of a vehicle which can lead to corrosion, especially in any areas where the paint is chipped. A good car wash will clean the car of all the dirt, sand, and salt that it’s exposed to in the winter. Waxing the car after a spring wash will protect the finish and make the vehicle easier to keep clean in the coming months.
• Interior – Interior mats should also be cleaned after winter to remove mud, salt, and sand from staining the floors.
• Oil – Oil levels should be inspected often and a change of season is a good time to change a car’s oil and filter to ensure that everything is well lubricated and in good working condition.
• Basic fluids – Check all fluids when heading into spring as winter driving can easily deplete levels of fluids such as windshield washing solvent. Make sure your car has adequate levels of power steering fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid to transition you into the spring and summer months.
• Wiper blades – Wiper blades take a lot of strain after wet, icy winters where they are used to push heavy snow and clear freezing rain. Replace wiper blades often to ensure they are in perfect working condition.
• Emergency kit – Many people overlook the importance of their emergency kits in the warmer months, but they are just as important if you become stranded on a hot day. Ensure that your car is stocked with several bottles of water and non-perishable snacks are within their expiration dates. Check flashlight batteries to make sure they are still working after being left in a cold car all winter long.
A little bit of car maintenance and care goes a long way in getting your vehicle ready for spring and summer driving. Leave the details to McKinney Motor Auto Repair so that you can rest assured that your car will be in top shape and ready for wherever the warmer weather takes you. Call us today at (505) 298-6734 to schedule your spring tune-up and maintenance check and leave your car’s repair work and safety inspections in the hands of our experts.
