Is Your Car Spring-Ready?

23 Mar Is Your Car Spring-Ready?

Winter is coming to an end and it’s time to drive with the windows down and breeze in your hair! Let’s get your car out of the winter blues and ready for some springtime fun.

Wash Away Winter

After months on icy, slushy, salty roads, your car needs a little TLC. Be sure to visit a carwash that washes the exterior as well as the undercarriage. The undercarriage is likely to have a bit of salt on it, so you’ll want to wash the undercarriage to remove any salt build-up and to prevent rusting. Don’t forget to give the interior of your car a little TLC with a good vacuuming, wipe your windows clean, and air out those floor mats.

Check Your Wiper Blades

Snow, salt, and cold temperatures can really do a number on your wipers, and as the old adage says, “April showers bring May flowers!” Now is a great time to replace your blades. Remember, if your blades are streaky, smearing, have split rubber, squeaking, or “chattering” when you use them, it’s definitely time to replace them!

Check & Change Your Fluids

In areas like Connecticut where the temperatures change drastically between the summer and the winter, it’s especially important to check and change your fluids. Windshield wiper fluid especially empties quickly during the winter, so you’ll want to make sure that’s topped up ahead of spring.

Check & Rotate Your Tires

Your tires should be rotated every six months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Even if you’re not someone who drives their car a lot, you should still be rotating your tires every 6 months. The fall and spring equinox can be good markers for you to remember to rotate the tires if you know you don’t drive 6,000 miles over a 6 month period.

Remember that in the spring there tends to be more rainy weather and it’s not unheard of to have ice and snow during a Connecticut spring. Now is a good time to check your tires to make sure your tires have the traction you need this time of year. If you’re curious about whether you need to replace your tires, you can check by inserting a penny into the treads of your tires. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, then you know it’s time to replace the tire.

Finally, remember that when temperatures change, the air pressure inside your tire will change as well. Check your owner’s manual for the right psi (pound per square inch) for your car’s tires and fill your tires with air to that amount.

Take a Look Under the Hood

Either you or a professional should make sure to take a look under the hood at your vehicle’s belts, hoses, and air filters. Damaged belts and hoses need to be repaired or replaced, and your air filters need to be working properly so that your air conditioning is ready for the approaching warm weather.