Get Your Car Ready for Spring

Spring is in the air, and after a cold winter and the continued frustration of COVID-19, more people are going to be taking to the road this spring and summer to enjoy some time out of the house. Since many people worked from home and couldn't go on vacation, cars sat idle far longer than usual. Now that the weather is nicer and people are getting out into the world again, you should take the time to get your car ready for the road. The last thing you want on a road trip is to have to stop to get your car repaired by someone you don't know.

Here are ten tips for leaving winter behind getting ready for spring and summer.

• Clean the road salt off your car. Even if you didn't drive as much as usual in 2020, you probably have road salt on the undercarriage if you drove at all this winter. This salt is corrosive and should be washed off. A water hose with decent water pressure should do the trick.

• Check your tires. Every time we have a list of things to do with your car, we remind you to check your tires. You can have the greatest car in the world, but you aren't going anywhere if your tires are not in good shape.

• Check your wiper blades. The life expectancy of wiper blades is about a year. You should check that they work without leaving streaks, making it difficult to see out of the windshield if you need to use them.

• Rotate your tires. Yes. Your tires again. You can extend the life of your tires by having them rotated on occasion. The best time to ask about rotating your tires is during an oil change.

• Change your Oil and Oil Filter. Speaking of which, even if you didn't put that many miles on your car in the last year, you should still get your oil changed, and with it, the oil filter.

• Change your air filter. An old air filter will restrict airflow to the engine causing poor performance and decreased gas mileage. For cars used regularly and to maintain good engine performance, it is best to change your air filter every six months.

• Flush your cooling system. It is recommended that you flush your cooling system every two years. Flushing your cooling system is more than just emptying your radiator and rinsing it with water. It needs to be done right to clear out the rust, grease, and sediment that builds up over time.

• Check your Radiator and Gas Caps. This is an easy one. Radiator and gas caps should be closed and sealed tight since these systems work best when an air-tight seal is formed. Radiator caps lose efficiency after a while and should be replaced before you have a problem.

• Check the Battery and Spark Plugs. It would be best if you had your electrical system checked for corrosion and loose wires. A lot of electricity and heat pulse through batteries and spark plugs. Dirty, misfiring plugs can cause loss of efficiency and waste gas. Loose, frayed, or corroded wires can start a fire.

• Keep the inside of your car clean. Keeping a car clean is more than just about appearances. Whenever you get in your vehicle, you are tracking in whatever you walked through on the street. Dirt, moisture, and road salt can cause problems with corrosion, mold. Even things like dropped food, spilled coffee, and even the oils from your hands on the steering wheel and dashboards all work against the interior, causing dirty, cracked surfaces.

While some of these things can be easily handled on your own, most of them require professional assistance. When you are ready to have your car checked, call Sonny and make an appointment to come on down to the shop.