After the rigors of winter, it’s a good idea to give your car a little springtime TLC to reverse any damage from the cold, rain, snow, mud, and damp that characterize wintertime. Even if you’re diligent about regular car maintenance, giving your vehicle a once-over will ensure its continued performance and safety so you can enjoy warm weather pursuits without a care. Get ready for action-packed sunny weekends and summer road trips with these tips for preventative spring auto maintenance whether you choose to DIY the inspection yourself or take your baby to your favorite mechanic.
Check tire pressure, alignment, and tread
Keeping your tires in good condition is vital as they impact driving safety, including control, traction, and braking. Underinflated tires wear faster and can impact steering, bald tires don’t grip the road properly, and bad alignment can make steering difficult, pulling your car either left or right. Harsh winter roads with dangerous potholes and corroded surfaces can take a toll on tires so carefully inspect your tires, including the spare tire, to ensure they are all roadworthy.
· Correct tire pressure is listed in your owner's manual and inside the driver's door jamb, not on the side of the tire. Check tire pressure regularly with a tire pressure gauge and keep them properly inflated.
·If your car pulls to the right or left have the alignment checked. Poor alignment can result from a collision, hitting potholes or curbs, and just normal wear over time.
·Tire tread should be checked for depth and uneven wear. Insert a penny with Lincoln’s head into the grooves of the tire treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, there’s very little tread left and it’s time to replace the tire. If tread wear is uneven but okay, you should rotate and align the tires.
·Winter tires don't perform well in hot temperatures, so swap out cold weather tires for all-season ones.
·Inspect the tire rims to be sure they're not bent or damaged.
Change the oil if overdue
Every vehicle has a manufacturer recommended oil change schedule, usually based on miles driven. If you haven’t checked in a while or have done extensive driving, make sure your oil is fresh and filled to the proper level. Oil keeps vital engine parts lubricated, so it runs smoothly and won’t overheat, especially critical as the weather gets hotter.
Check the battery
Winters are tough on batteries, causing them to work harder than in warmer months. To keep it at its best, make sure the battery is firmly secured in place to avoid any vibration and that battery terminals are tight and free of corrosion. If you’ve noticed any reduction in power such as dimmer headlights or windows that roll down more slowly, have the battery power tested and replace it if it’s failing. Don’t wait for a dead battery experience in the middle of vacation.
Check your brakes
Faulty brakes are extremely dangerous and, in many states, it’s illegal to drive with bad brakes. If your vehicle pulls to one side when braking or you have to pump the brakes to stop, get the brakes checked immediately. Worn out brake pads, rotors, or calipers can affect slowing or stopping time when you brake. Make sure there are no leaks or bulges in the brake lines. Low brake fluid could be a sign that new brakes are needed or if the brake fluid is not clear and translucent, it may need a flush and complete fluid change.
Verify fluid levels
All auto fluids are designed to enhance and protect the performance of your car’s vital systems. Check fluid levels when the seasons change and get any low fluids topped off, including the engine oil, brake fluid, transmission and power steering fluids, and engine coolant. Low fluid levels may indicate a leak, and most transmission failures can be traced to fluid neglect, a very expensive oversight.
Inspect belts and hoses for damage or wear
When the engine is cool, look under the hood and around the engine compartment, checking belts and hoses for damage. If any are dry, cracked, or too slack, they'll need replacing or tightening. Be sure the radiator cap is keeping the cooling system sealed and properly pressurized or you can overheat.
Test your air conditioner
Before it gets blistery hot, make sure your air conditioner is working properly. Turn it on and check that it’s blowing properly and getting cold. Listen for any unusual noises, such as the compressor clicking on and off quickly, which can indicate low refrigerant (Freon). If the AC is weak, it could mean a loose drive belt, a clogged condenser, or a leak causing low refrigerant. Engine coolant can also affect your AC's temperature, humidity, and airflow so also check the coolant level and top it off if necessary.
New windshield wiper blades improve visibility
A common casualty of winter is damaged wiper blades that warp, crack, and bend. After months of clearing rain, snow, slush, and mud from your windshield they can start to leave streaks where the rubber is worn and not making complete contact with the window. Spring and summer can bring sudden rain showers and those pesky bugs plastered on the windshield that really should go away. Here are signs that your wiper blades need replacement, and don't forget to check your back wiper blades too:
· Poor visibility from dirty spots and streaks
· Squeaking sounds or dragging when operating
· Ripped or detached rubber on the blade
· Scratches on your windshield from worn blades
Top off windshield washer fluid
In conjunction with new wiper blades, keeping the washer fluid reservoir full will ensure you can clean away any debris that blocks visibility. A pre-mixed all-season washer fluid includes cleaning additives for a squeaky-clean finish and is safe for temperatures above 32-degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners that can damage window tinting, rubber weather stripping, and the rear window mesh grid for the defroster.
Replace the cabin air filter
Just as the filters of your home’s heating and air system require periodic replacing, the cabin air filter in your car can become dirty and ineffective. This won’t affect the car’s performance, but it will impact the comfort of the occupants. The air filter blocks impurities and allergens like pollen, dirt, and dust from entering the car, and a clean filter improves in-car air quality.
Test your lights
Auto lights are critical so you can see and be seen when driving, especially at night. Do a visual inspection of headlights, taillights, backup lights, brake lights, parking lights, fog lights, and turn signals. Replace any burned-out bulbs or cracked covers and if your headlights are hazy, clean them of any buildup or oxidation.
Wash and wax the car
The final step for your car’s “spring makeover” is a thorough wash and wax. If you wash it yourself, use mild dish soap or a car-washing formula with a sponge to prevent scratches. Dry the car completely before applying a good car wax to protect the finish. If you prefer to use a car wash, plan on a full detailing job, inside and out, or complete the interior cleaning yourself.
· Avoid power/pressure washing your car as it can be too intense, chipping paint and damaging trim. The one exception for power washing is the car’s undercarriage and wheel wells. If you pay to get your car washed, cleaning the undercarriage should be included.
· A good cleaning will reveal minor dings and chips in the paint, as well as tiny cracks in the windshield, mirrors, or lights. Make a note of any damage and institute repairs as soon as possible.
· Do not clean the engine by hosing it down as you can damage any number of electrical components. You can brush away accumulated debris like leaves, dirt, road salt, and pine needles with a clean paint brush and wipe the engine area down with a damp rag.
· Vacuum the seats and the floors, remove the floor mats and hose them down, placing them outside to dry, and shampoo the carpet if it’s dirty.
· Clean all interior surfaces like the dashboard, steering wheel, door panels, door jambs, and console with an appropriate cleaner for plastic or leather. Whisk away dust from air vents and other hard-to-reach spaces with a clean paint brush.
· If you have leather seats, apply a leather cleaner/protectant, and use upholstery cleaner for fabric seats.
· Clean the insides of your windows.
We hope these tips for preventative Spring and Summer road trip car maintenance is always preferable to a breakdown! Learn to read your car or truck so you can tell when something is not quite right and have it checked out before it’s a problem. If your spring inspection reveals that you do need an auto part replacement like an alternator, condenser, rear view mirror, or fender, LKQ Online can help save money with genuine OEM used auto parts to restore original performance and appearance. Seasonal maintenance checks ensure your car will be road-ready all year long and you can rest easy every time you get behind the wheel.