Celebrate National Car Care Month with these Spring Car Maintenance Tips!
After several weeks of spring breaks, ‘Spring Break’ came to an end. The NCAA Championships culminated in a Villanova victory. March Madness gave way to Spring Fever, and American ballparks opened their gates to inaugurate the start of the MLB season. And, in perhaps the most telling sign that spring had arrived; pollen began wreaking havoc with sinuses across the country.
Of course with spring comes spring cleaning—that annual ritual in which homes go from merely tidy to meticulously spotless and couch potatoes take on long deferred repairs. Over the years, technology and convenience have stepped in to help make these jobs easier. Until the 20th century, the vacuum cleaner was a warm day and high winds. And even then special care had to be given to prevent flying insects from taking advantage of open doors and windows. Technology has taken much of the time and tedium out of spring cleaning, making way for an entirely new list of seasonal tasks.
Spring is the time that families pile into their cars and set out on the road. And Bauer Built believes that, as you shake off the winter chill with warm and sunny drives, or ready yourself for the road trips of summer, spring revitalization shouldn’t end at the driveway but extend to car care. Before you hit the road, kick the tires!
Low tire pressure can cause blowouts, diminished handling, and lower MPGs. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove box; check the sticker in your door jam for the correct pressure, and inflate your tires properly. It is a good idea to rotate tires about every 7,500 miles. Uneven wear may indicate wheel alignment is needed, and the resulting shimmy adds to overall car wear and tear. If you’re planning a drive, check and replace tires if they have excessive wear. And if you’re changing one tire, consider changing all four. Driving on tires with uneven tread, wear, and pressure can amplify the effects of misaligned wheels and add to further tire wear.
Check your coolant level and dipsticks for oil and transmission fluid levels. Low fluids can bring your vehicle to a halt. Drivers often find this out the hard way, when the weather warms. Many cars now use synthetic oil, so the advice of changing the oil every 3,000 miles is somewhat outdated. Consult your owner’s manual to be sure. Use the recommended viscosity for warm weather. Change the filter each time you change the oil. This is also a good time to change the air filter—an easy way to help protect your engine.
If you are a warm-weather wimp, put an air-conditioning-system checkup high on the list. Check the compressor belt for cracks, fraying, and wear. Turn on the system to make sure the compressor comes on and generates refrigerated air. It is also good to have the refrigerant checked and, if necessary, recharged. Many experts recommend flushing and filling your cooling system every two years or 24,000 miles. Use a radiator flush product to remove rust, grease, and other contaminants. Refill with a 50-50 mix of coolant and water.
Hoses, belts, and blades are all essential to reliable operation of the electrical, cooling, and climate-control systems. Yet these components deteriorate through use and age—especially in environments where temperatures vary. With the engine off, pull on the belts to make sure they are tight. When the engine is warm, squeeze the radiator hose. If soft, replace it. Wiper blades are relatively cheap, so toss them when they smear or leave streaks.
Winter can be very taxing on car batteries. Make sure connections are tight and free from corrosion. Have the charge checked at a qualified auto shop. Be especially cautious if your battery is more than 2 years old. A simple 10-to-1 mixture of water to baking soda will clear terminals of any loose corrosion. And the cleaning shouldn’t stop there. Wash the undercarriage to get rid of salt and sand. A low-profile sprinkler works great, but so does a garden hose. Treat the dashboard, leather seats and carpets. Pay special attention to the bottoms of doors, where moisture and dirt can cause corrosion. Checking these areas will also force you to clear out junk from your trunk that can rob MPGs. Go ahead and give it a good wax too. Or have your car professionally detailed as part of your spring ritual. These are all good tips, but don’t waste money on unnecessary maintenance. More is not necessarily better. There are few promises in life, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be ready to spring into summer clean, fully serviced and ready for the drives of your dreams. During National Car Care Month throughout all of April, be sure to stop in to see how Bauer Built can help you treat your Spring Fever!
Categories: Bauer Built Blog, Car Care Tips
