Do you have your spring car maintenance checklist ready? With springtime finally here, it's going to be months before you have to worry about driving on extremely icy roads again. The warmer, brighter days make it an excellent time to get your car in great shape for the upcoming travel season. Here are a few crucial items to tick off on your auto repair and maintenance list for spring.
Oil lubricates your car's engine to help keep it cool and in top operating condition. The fluid accumulates dirt and other impurities over time, rendering it ineffective when it comes to protecting your car's engine. So, you need to regularly change the oil to help keep a healthy engine. It's critical that you have the oil and filter replaced at the same time. A used and old filter has impurities that will contaminate your fresh oil, negatively impacting engine performance.
Winter can be rough on car batteries that had to overwork during the cold months due to the extremely low temperatures. With the ever-increasing warmth, it may soon get to temperatures that cause crucial battery fluids to evaporate, accelerating damage that started a long time ago. The onset of spring is an ideal time to have your car battery tested. Consider getting a new one if necessary to avoid getting stranded in case your car won't start.
During spring, most surfaces are no longer consistently wet or as in winter. However, traction on the road is still a vital auto safety factor in spring. One way to improve your car's stability on the road is ensuring that tire pressure for all wheels matches the vehicle's recommended amount. It's important that you check your tires' pressure and inflate them accordingly before driving. If possible, always have an accurate tire pressure gauge in your vehicle for this purpose.
Keep in mind that tire pressure does change between winter and spring due to changes from low to higher temperatures. Typically, tires gain inflation pressure by about 1 PSI (pound per square inch) for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit temperature increase.
Equally vital, inspect your tire tread depth to ensure it's sufficient for proper grip on the most slippery road surfaces. Adequate tire grip makes your car safer and easier to control and stop, especially in wet weather. You can test tread depth by placing a penny into the tread's groove. If the tread depth is proper and the tire in good shape, the top of Lincoln's head should fully disappear when you insert the coin.
It may be time you replaced your wiper blades to enhance visibility on the road during wet weather. The system has worked hard to remove snow and ice from your car's windshield during winter and so they may need attention. You can try cleaning your wiper blades, but if that doesn't work, consider replacing them. Also, refill the wiper fluid to gear up for optimal spring driving.
If your lights seem too hazy or dim to be safe enough for driving at night, consider scrubbing them using a soft toothbrush and baking soda solution. Also, replace all headlights and taillights that remain hazy even after deep cleaning them.
As you gear up to travel and explore the outdoors this spring, these are the critical considerations for your car maintenance checklist. Remember to have the right auto insurance coverage too. For assistance finding affordable car insurance, contact the team at C.V. Mason Insurance Agency in Bristol, Connecticut today. We'll help craft an auto insurance policy that provides adequate protection in line with your budget.
