Car maintenance reduces long-term costs and helps your vehicle last longer. It also maximizes resale value when you decide to sell or trade it in.
Follow your owner’s manual for specific maintenance recommendations. Check your air pressure and top off fluids as needed (engine coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid). Keep your vehicle clean and apply a coat of wax twice a year to protect the paint from damage and rust.
Spring
Winter is a rough time for cars, and once it’s over, a little bit of spring car care can help ensure your vehicle has a smooth transition to warmer weather. Performing these easy tasks can prevent costly repairs from being required later in the year.
Check your brake linings, rotors and drums. If they’re worn out, you should replace them before the summer road trip season starts. Having fresh brakes is essential to preventing accidents and injuries on busy highways. The same goes for your shocks or struts. Look for signs that they need replacement, including: the vehicle rolls or sways on turns; front end dives when braking; the rear of the vehicle squats when accelerating; or the tires lose traction in snow and ice.
If you use all-season or summer tires, consider replacing them with a new set for the spring and summer driving seasons. Also, rotate your existing tires to even out tire wear. It’s also a good idea to check your tire pressure and tread depth, since the warmer temperatures can cause your tires to lose air pressure and tread.
The last thing you want is a flat tire while driving on a summer road trip! Make sure you have a spare on hand, and that the spare is in good shape. It’s a good idea to inspect your spare for leaking fluid, uneven wear, or damage from impact.
Spring is a great time to clean your vehicle inside and out. Wash your car with automotive shampoo, and make sure to get into every nook and cranny. If you notice any minor paint chips, cover them with clear nail polish as soon as possible to stop rust from forming.
Don’t forget to clean your windshield wiper blades as well. Over time, they can become brittle and leave streaks on the window, which impairs visibility. This is a quick and inexpensive part of spring car care that can make a big difference in your safety while driving on wet roads. You should also replace your cabin air filter to reduce pollen and other allergens from entering the interior of your vehicle.
Summer
The summer is a great time to get out and explore, but the extra traffic and road conditions can put a strain on your vehicle. A well-maintained car will provide you with a smoother ride and less chance of breakdowns. Additionally, a properly maintained car is more likely to maintain its resale value when you are ready to sell it in the future.
With the hot temperatures, your car can experience more engine overheating issues than other seasons. This could lead to the need for a cooling system flush or even replacement. The best way to prevent your car from overheating is to make sure the cooling system is working as it should.
You should also check your tire tread and air pressure to ensure that your tires are in good condition for the season ahead. It is important to switch to your summer tires, as they are designed to be more traction-oriented than winter ones. You may want to get your tires rotated as well, so that they will wear evenly.
Another important summer maintenance item is to check the battery, as it can be affected by seasonal temperature changes. Your mechanic can test your battery to see if it needs to be replaced, or you can do a simple inspection at home. Check the water levels of all your fluids, including transmission fluid, power steering fluid and coolant, to be sure they are at a proper level.
Brakes are one of the most crucial components of a functioning car, and they can be affected by seasonal temperature changes. As you drive in the summer, you should regularly check that your brake pads have at least 3/16ths of an inch left for each wheel. In addition, your rotors shouldn’t have ridges or pockmarks on them.
Finally, you should regularly inspect your headlights and taillights to be sure they are functioning correctly. This is an easy inspection that you can do by simply turning on your lights while parked, and walking around your vehicle to visually inspect the headlights and taillights. Taking these quick and easy steps will help you enjoy a safe and happy summer on the roads.
Fall
As the weather turns to fall, it’s time to start thinking about your car care routine. A well-maintained vehicle is not only safe to drive, but will also help you get the most out of its resale value when you’re ready to sell it.
Check Your Engine Oil
The summer heat can cause your car’s motor oil to wear out faster than usual, so it’s important to change it out in a timely manner. Your owner’s manual will give you a specific timeline for when it needs to be changed out, so refer to that to ensure your vehicle stays in tip-top shape.
Wash Your Car
Taking your car to the auto wash may seem like a waste of money, but it can really protect your vehicle from the elements as winter approaches. It will remove any baked-on contaminants that can damage your paint, as well as any dirt and grime that has accumulated over the summer. If you’re going to be driving your vehicle through snow, ice and salt, washing it regularly is even more important, as the added grime can deteriorate certain components of your vehicle over time.
Check Your Lighting
With the days getting shorter, you’ll be using your headlights more often, so this is another important item to check off your list before winter arrives. Walk around your vehicle with the lights on, checking the headlights, taillights, parking lights, brake lights and emergency flashers. Make sure they’re all working properly, and also that the lenses are clean.
Inspect Your Tires
Your tires are crucial for traction on icy roads, so be sure to inspect them before the snow arrives. Ensure the tread is at least 1/8 inch deep and that the pressure is in line with the recommended level. If your tires are worn out or underinflated, you’ll not only be risking a safety hazard, but you will also be wasting money on fuel and decreasing the amount of time you spend on the road.
Having an emergency kit in your vehicle will save you the stress and hassle of having to wait for roadside assistance when something goes wrong with your car. Be sure to pack an ice scraper, blanket, tools and anything else you might need.
Winter
While most car maintenance should be done on a regular basis, it’s also important to perform seasonal inspections and service. Neglecting these tasks could result in unpleasant surprises when you need to drive your vehicle (think broken windshield wipers or a frozen fuel line). At the very least, it will cause the vehicle to operate less efficiently and may lower its resale value.
Falling leaves, snow, and road salt can all damage your car’s exterior. Washing your vehicle, cleaning the undercarriage and wheel wells, and putting on a protective coating like Graphene Burst will keep the car clean and help prevent damage from winter elements. In addition, storing your car properly with carports from modernsteelbuildings.com.au will make a world of difference.
Changing the oil is a must for any vehicle, but it’s especially important during the winter. Cold temperatures can affect the oil’s consistency and glycerine content, which can have serious effects on the performance of your vehicle. Using the factory-recommended weight and type of oil is the best way to ensure your car will run smoothly throughout the cold season.
Winter also makes your windshield wipers an important component of the vehicle, and replacing them is another seasonal service that should be performed before winter hits. Check the wiper blades for wear and tear, and make sure they’re properly sized to match your vehicle’s windows. If your vehicle’s wipers are streaking or smearing, you’ll be hard-pressed to see out your windshield or back window in poor weather conditions.
Your vehicle’s lights are another important safety feature to check before winter sets in. Make sure all the bulbs are functional, and walk around your vehicle to check that both the turn signals and hazard lights work well. This is an easy step that can save you from a potential roadside breakdown in the middle of a winter storm.
The upcoming holidays are often a busy time of year, and it’s easy to neglect the little things. To help you stay on track with your routine maintenance, consider setting a reminder in your phone, downloading an app, or signing up for service alerts through your preferred dealership. Then, you’ll never have to worry about forgetting an important car service.
