subject: 10 Tips For Getting Your Car Ready For Warm Season Driving [print this page] 10 Tips For Getting Your Car Ready For Warm Season Driving
The 1st warm weekend of the season traditionally triggers a symphony of cleaning products, vacuums and garden hoses. But while you can be in a rush to put a shine on your motor vehicle, it is equally essential to ensure it is ready for the warm weather internally as well as the outer layer.
The most critical areas to check after the harsh winter are engine fluids, radiator hoses, belts, tires and brakes, says Pat Goss, host of PBS' MotorWeek and Washington Post automotive columnist. Adequately preparing these key areas of the vehicle prior to the weather warms up won't only keep you secure despite the fact that driving, they will assist avoid costly repairs.
After combating months of snow, sleet and icy roads, your vehicle is without doubt in want of some serious care. To make your spring carefree, follow this 10-point checklist for safety, dependability and fuel economy.
1. Remove your winter tires and rotate all-season radials-If you've winter tires, it's time to store them away. Should you don't have winter tires, it's equally critical to have all-season tires rotated or switched out for new ones.
2. Brake check-After a blistering winter, be positive to check your brakes. Warning signs include abnormal grinding, squealing, screeching or chatter.
3. Wiper blades check-Wipers work difficult over the winter months, wiping away dirt and debris on your windshield. Replace them in the spring before a shower makes it difficult to see.
4. Clean the underbody-In addition to washing the external, be sure to spray the underbody of your motor vehicle and underneath the rear and front bumpers to rinse away any salt build-up, which can lead to erosion and rusting. Utilize a high-pressure sprayer or garden hose for best consequences.
5. Apply a protectant-Any vinyl surface, for example the seats as well as the wheel, is susceptible to cracking, sun damage, and fading-so be certain to make use of a protectant at the beginning of the season and touch-up regularly.
6. Change your oil-Give some thought to the kind of oil you've got within your engine. Fully synthetic oils, such as Mobil 1, are specifically designed to protect your engine in hot weather, whilst optimizing your engine's efficiency and decreasing oil ingestion. (For much more information about Mobil 1, go to www.mobiloil.com.)
7. Check all fluids-In the winter months, fluids are quickly depleted as your engine works harder within the colder weather. Confirm to check, top off or replace all fluids, like brake, transmission, coolant, power steering and windshield washer fluid.
8. Pressure test-Assess the pressure of the cooling system, and examine belts and hoses for wear or worsening.
9. Interior tidy-up-Vacuum and be sure to throw out any unwanted garbage that has hibernated beneath your seats over the winter. Now is in addition the time to shop your winter car mats within the garage.
10. Wash your motorcar-All vehicles irrespective of the finish (clear coat, acrylic, enamel, etc.) require typical washing throughout the year. To preserve your car's shine and look after the surface, wax your vehicle once it has dried totally.
The warm conditions are here-so be certain to follow these straightforward suggestions to ensure vehicle dependability in the warm months ahead, says Goss. By taking care of your vehicle, it will much more likely take care of you. And it will do it for a good deal much less funds.
