To help you start your car maintenance journey, Synthetic Oil Direct in AMSOIL: Synthetic Oil Direct: Andriy Dyachuk has some easy tips to follow. Keep reading this post and learn how to prepare your vehicle for spring with these tips.
As a vehicle owner, you know the importance of treating your car right. After a harsh winter, the least you can do for your vehicle is give it proper maintenance to endure the spring and summer temperatures. So, spring vehicle maintenance will help you catch any damages the winter may have caused to your vehicle. By taking care of them early, you will prevent them from turning into more extensive and expensive repairs in the future. Read on!
Begin with a Tire Inspection
The winter roads most likely have taken a toll on your vehicle's tires. Rough weather, concealed road threats, and even cold temperatures can harshly affect pneumatics. Thus, it would be best to address any tires issues before the extreme heat arrives.
Low tread tires are more prone to suffer punctures and accidents. Therefore, you should start your tire maintenance by inspecting the tread. It would be best to have the worn-down tires replaced because their reduced traction can put you at risk on the road. An easy way to evaluate this requires placing a penny in between the tread, and if the coin is visibly sticking out, your tires are showing signs of wear. If your tires are worn or have flat spots or bulges, you should consider getting them replaced.
Tire Pressure
Checking your tire pressure monthly should be standard practice for every driver. Unfortunately, most people neglect this simple task. Take the time to inspect each tire's air pressure, including the spare tire. Remember that cold winter weather likely caused your tires to lose air pressure, and reduced levels of this can cause improper traction and handling on the road. Also, it may lead to unsafe driving conditions.
Inspecting the Alignment and Suspension
Road conditions during winter are dangerous for your tires and your vehicle's alignment and suspension. Have your alignment and suspension inspected professionally, especially if you drove through a few potholes or didn't see some road bumps through the winter storms.
If you notice your vehicle pulls to one side as you go, your steering wheel vibrates, or even a slightly uneven tire, you may have issues with your struts or shocks. Get these checked out before this issue snowballs.
Your battery is essential for your car to function. Neglecting it might just leave you stranded on the road. Cold winter temperatures increase the strain on car batteries, so it's a good idea to get yours checked around the spring and summer months. Check the plugs and wires while you're at it, and look out for any rust or corrosion that can cause or escalate car issues. Ensure connections are tight and clean as well.
Inspect Belts and Hoses
Clean your belts and hoses to have a better feel for their condition. While you should visually inspect them for wear, cracks, and leaks, you should also manually check them. If hoses feel brittle, soft, or have swollen areas, it's time to replace them.
Keep in mind that leaks and other issues may seem like not a huge deal. They can cause much more significant problems for your engine. For instance, if your coolant is leaking, it can lead to overheating. Prevent this damage by taking care of belts and hoses now.
Take a Look at the Fluids
Consider flushing your transmission and replacing the fluid in early spring. This simple and affordable task can help prevent transmission damages that lead to pricey transmission repairs.
Also, check on your coolant and consider flushing it as well. Even if you don't flush it, be sure you have enough coolant in your car, as low levels can cause severe damage if your car begins to heat up.