After a long and cold winter, spring is in the air. That means giving your car some TLC before cruising in the sun is the time. Making sure everything is in top shape before you hit the road can help prevent costly breakdowns. Here are eight essential spring tune-up tasks.
1. Battery. Most batteries last five to seven years. However, cold winters are notoriously hard on batteries. With warm weather on the horizon, ask your mechanic to check the condition of yours.
2. Windscreen wiper. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can affect brushes. So when the weather warms up, it’s a good idea to check the blades for signs of wear and replace them if necessary.
3. Tires. If you have installed winter tires on your vehicle, now is the time to change them to summer tires. The rubber that treads on winter tires wears faster in warm conditions. If your car is equipped with all-season tires, inspect them for wear, cracks or other signs of damage and replace them if necessary.
4. Hoses and straps. Harsh winter weather can affect the life of your car’s hoses and belts. It’s best to have them inspected by a trusted mechanic for cracks, leaks, tears and stretches to ensure they’re ready to go the distance this spring.
5. Filters. Have your mechanic look at your vehicle’s engine and cabin filters and replace them if necessary. A dirty cabin filter can cause your air conditioning system to malfunction; a dirty engine filter can put excessive stress on your engine.
6. Brakes. Don’t wait for something to go wrong before checking your brakes. Have pads and rotors professionally inspected to keep them in good condition.
7. Lights. When you take your car in for a spring tune-up, have the mechanic check your turn signal bulbs, brake lights, headlights, indicators and daytime running lights.
8. Fluids. Several fluids should be changed when you go through your spring tune-up routine. For example, engine oil, power steering fluid, brakes, transmission fluids, coolant, and washer fluid should be checked and topped up as needed.
When you’re ready for a spring tune-up for your vehicle, contact a local mechanic to get the job done right and stay safe on the road.
