Maximize Your Car’s Lifespan: 5 Spring Maintenance Tasks You Can’t Ignore
March 24, 2023
Spring is a great time to give your vehicle the attention it needs after enduring the harsh winter conditions. Routine vehicle maintenance is crucial to ensure your car is running smoothly and to prevent any potential costly repairs down the road.
Protect your investment with these five essential spring maintenance tasks.
Check your tires: First, in cold temperatures the rubber in tires can become stiff, reducing its ability to grip the road. Add snow and ice, and these slippery driving conditions can cause tires to wear more quickly. Also, roads are often treated with salt or other chemicals to melt snow and ice, which can cause corrosion and damage to the tires’ rubber and metal components. Finally, the low air pressure that can occur in cold temperatures can further reduce a tire’s ability to perform well, potentially leading to premature wear or failure.
Winter driving is tough on your tires so it’s important to check them for wear and tear when the season’s over. Look for signs of uneven wear, punctures, or cracks. Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated to ensure good gas mileage and handling.
Change your oil and filter: Winter weather can be challenging for engine oil due to its tendency to thicken in colder temperatures. As temperatures drop, the oil’s viscosity (thickness) can increase, making it harder for the oil to flow through the engine and lubricate components effectively. This can result in increased wear and tear on the engine and reduced fuel efficiency. Additionally, the cold weather can cause condensation to build up inside the engine, leading to moisture contamination in the oil.
Regular oil changes are essential to keeping your engine running smoothly. Fresh oil will rejuvenate its lubrication properties and improve your car’s performance and prolong its lifespan.
Check your brakes: Cold weather can be tough on brakes due to a few reasons. First, as temperatures drop, moisture and condensation can accumulate on brake components, leading to corrosion and rust. This can cause brake pads, rotors, and other parts to wear out faster, reducing their effectiveness over time. Second, icy or snowy driving conditions can cause drivers to apply their brakes more frequently and aggressively, leading to increased wear and tear on the braking system. This can cause brakes to overheat and potentially fail, especially if they are already worn out or damaged.
Constantly riding brakes in the winter because you’re unsure of road conditions? That’s why it’s important to have your brakes inspected in the spring. Your shop can check the brake pads, rotors, and calipers to make sure they’re in good condition and working properly.
Check your battery: Your car’s engine requires more power to start in colder temperatures, placing additional strain on the battery. If you haven’t already, it’s important to have it tested in the spring and fall. Your shop can check the battery’s voltage and make sure it’s holding a charge. If your battery is weak, it’s best to replace it before it fails completely.
Check your fluids: During the winter, your vehicle’s fluids may have become contaminated or degraded, which can reduce their effectiveness and potentially cause damage to your car’s components. For example, engine oil can thicken and accumulate moisture, brake fluid can absorb water and lose effectiveness, and coolant can become diluted or contaminated, reducing its ability to regulate engine temperature.
Spring is a great time to have all your car’s fluids checked and topped off. Your BG shop can also check for any leaks and make sure everything is in good condition.
Regular vehicle maintenance is important, and performing these essential spring maintenance tasks can help keep your vehicle in top condition. By checking your tires, changing your oil and filter, inspecting your brakes, testing your battery, and checking your fluids, you can help ensure your car is ready to take on the spring and summer months ahead.
Don’t neglect your vehicle’s maintenance, be good to your car and enjoy a safe and reliable ride!
