There's that distinct smell in the air, mornings aren't so chilly, and it's obvious that spring is well on its way here. Hopefully your family vehicle has made it through the winter unscathed- and you're probably thinking of putting it back into warm-weather mode.
Winter is hard on your car- and the temperatures, ice, salt and added stresses of cold weather driving put every component in your ride to the test. The time is right to give your car, truck or SUV some much-deserved TLC after the winter driving season
If you've installed snow tires and winter wiper blades, it's the right time to think about removing them. Winter tires wear out very quickly if used in warm weather, and winter wiper blades don't do as good a job at clearing your windshield at the higher speeds you'll likely travel at once the roads are clear.
There's probably an uncomfortable amount of salt and sand built up in your vehicle's underside too- so it's a good idea to take it to a coin-operated car-wash and pay special attention to rinsing off the undercarriage with warm, high-pressure water. Remember that dirt and sand can trap salt and moisture against your car's metal, and not taking care of this situation can be a recipe for corrosive disaster.
Amidst de-winterizing your car or truck, remember that maintenance is key. Today's cars and trucks are more complex than ever- but they're also more reliable and long-lasting than ever too, if they're taken care of properly.
A spring check up will allow a technician to get up close and personal with the underside of your vehicle to inspect for possible problems that you may not see. A full under-hood inspection can be completed too- in order to check out the various systems that make your engine tick. Remember that identifying possible issues early on can save money down the line.
You'll want to take care of any and all springtime maintenance which might be required. For instance- your engine and transmission have a variety of fluids and filters to keep them running at their best- fuel, oil, coolant, and more. Winter is hard on these fluids- especially the transmission fluid and engine oil. Change any fluids that might need to be replaced, or take your ride to your favorite lube-shop to have the work done professionally.
Don't take fluids lightly. Many a mechanic say that they're the life-blood of your vehicle, and will tell you that if you neglect them, you shouldn't expect your car to be healthy for the long term.
It's also important to remember that no matter how new and advanced your car might be, it still needs to be maintained. If not, it could emit 50 percent more pollution or use 50 percent more fuel than a vehicle which has been properly taken care of.
If you have any questions about maintenance, check your owner's manual or give your vehicles dealership a call- they'll be happy to inform you of the proper procedures.
photo:Justin Pritchard, Jupiter Images
Winter is hard on your car- and the temperatures, ice, salt and added stresses of cold weather driving put every component in your ride to the test. The time is right to give your car, truck or SUV some much-deserved TLC after the winter driving season
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| It is time to take off those winter tires. |
If you've installed snow tires and winter wiper blades, it's the right time to think about removing them. Winter tires wear out very quickly if used in warm weather, and winter wiper blades don't do as good a job at clearing your windshield at the higher speeds you'll likely travel at once the roads are clear.
There's probably an uncomfortable amount of salt and sand built up in your vehicle's underside too- so it's a good idea to take it to a coin-operated car-wash and pay special attention to rinsing off the undercarriage with warm, high-pressure water. Remember that dirt and sand can trap salt and moisture against your car's metal, and not taking care of this situation can be a recipe for corrosive disaster.
Amidst de-winterizing your car or truck, remember that maintenance is key. Today's cars and trucks are more complex than ever- but they're also more reliable and long-lasting than ever too, if they're taken care of properly.
A spring check up will allow a technician to get up close and personal with the underside of your vehicle to inspect for possible problems that you may not see. A full under-hood inspection can be completed too- in order to check out the various systems that make your engine tick. Remember that identifying possible issues early on can save money down the line.
You'll want to take care of any and all springtime maintenance which might be required. For instance- your engine and transmission have a variety of fluids and filters to keep them running at their best- fuel, oil, coolant, and more. Winter is hard on these fluids- especially the transmission fluid and engine oil. Change any fluids that might need to be replaced, or take your ride to your favorite lube-shop to have the work done professionally.
Don't take fluids lightly. Many a mechanic say that they're the life-blood of your vehicle, and will tell you that if you neglect them, you shouldn't expect your car to be healthy for the long term.
It's also important to remember that no matter how new and advanced your car might be, it still needs to be maintained. If not, it could emit 50 percent more pollution or use 50 percent more fuel than a vehicle which has been properly taken care of.
If you have any questions about maintenance, check your owner's manual or give your vehicles dealership a call- they'll be happy to inform you of the proper procedures.
 |
| A full under-hood inspection should be performed. |
photo:Justin Pritchard, Jupiter Images