Spring has sprung – what does that mean for your car? Routine auto maintenance skips no season. Winter can be hard on cars, so spring is when you can check for any damage, whip your car back into shape, and get ready for summer heat and sun. Regardless of season, it’s good to check in on certain parts of your car every few months, so the change in weather and temperatures can be a good reminder to schedule certain car maintenance services.
Of all the major systems in your car, the tires and brakes can get hit the worst throughout winter months. Between different driving habits and harsh weather, you may be surprised the wear on both your tires and brake pads by the time winter is through.
First of all, any time there’s a big fluctuation in temperature, it will impact your tire pressure. As temperatures drop, so does your tire pressure. This can lead to extra wear on your tires if you don’t or aren’t able to stop and top them off. As temperatures start to rise in the spring, you want to be sure your tires aren’t over-full. Driving on over-filled tires, especially over longer distances, means you’re at risk for a blow-out.
Check Your Brake Pad Wear
While you’re back there, take a look at your brake pads and make sure they have enough still left on them. If they look too thin and worn, it’s a good idea not to wait too long before scheduling a brake repair service to get new brake pads installed. Waiting too long can mean you’ll have damage to your rotors that will also have to be fixed, as well as causing a safety hazard.
Swap Out and Rotate Your Tires
If you use winter tires, now’s the time to swap them out for regular or all-season tires to get you through the spring and summer months. Regardless of the type of tires you use, it’s a good idea to keep up with regular tire rotations to make sure they all get even wear. Typically, one set of your tires will naturally get more wear than the other, so rotating them will help keep them on the same replacement schedule and prevent a blow-out from over-worn tires.
Much of this seasonal maintenance is easy and you can do it yourself at home. Take a look at your engine oil, coolant level, and wiper fluid. Any of those can be topped off easily at home, though it’s important to note that if your engine oil or coolant levels are low, it indicates a leak that should be diagnosed by a mechanic.
This is dependent upon the last time you got an oil change , though many people rely on the seasons to help them remember when they’re likely due. You can take a look at your engine oil to check the level and consistency. If the level is low or it smells burnt, looks dark, or feels thicker than it should, it’s time to put an oil change on your calendar.
Take a good look at the outside of your car. Find any knicks or scratches that might have happened over the winter with harsh weather and bad driving conditions. These chips can easily lead to rust if they aren’t touched up with paint soon.
The more extreme seasons, including winter, are extra hard on your windshield wipers. Take a quick look at them and see if they feel dry or cracked. You can also typically tell when you try to use them. Wipers that are worn and need to be replaced will leave streaks on your windshield that impact your visibility while driving.
Keeping the exterior of your car clean during and right after winter is about more than just looks. The salt used in many places on the roads to help keep them clear of snow and ice is actually very hard on the underside of your car. There are a lot of metal parts that are more likely to grow rust and corrosion if that salt is left sitting on them too long. That can lead to parts failing or an exhaust leak with time.
Time for seasonal car maintenance ? Give us a call or schedule your appointment online with the AAMCO Utah mechanics. Not only will we take care of any required maintenance, we also include a free check and inspection of essential systems in your car.
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The post Don’t Forget These Crucial Spring Car Maintenance Services first appeared on AAMCO Utah Transmission Repair and General Car Repair.
