Tune Up Your Car For Summer

Spring Tune Ups Keep Your Car Running Smoothly 

The snow has finally melted, and the salt has been cleared from the roadway. A long winter has probably taken its toll on your car inside and out. With warmer weather and longer days on the horizon, now is a good time to get your car ready for spring adventures and summer road trips.

Springtime vehicle maintenance is largely about undoing winter’s damage. It’s good to start with a thorough cleaning of both your car’s interior and exterior. After several months of not washing your car or vacuuming the interior because of cold weather, there is likely a lot of debris that needs dealt with. It’s important to get rid of road salt as it wreaks havoc on cars. On the outside, it breaks down paint and metal, leading to rust. Inside your car, salt trapped in the carpet causes the fibers to deteriorate.

Once your ride is sparkling clean, it’s time for some spring cleaning under the hood. Replace your air filter, and check all your fluids. If you haven’t had an oil change in a while, spring is a good time, especially if you are planning any upcoming road trips. You may also want to consider a general tune up just to make sure your car is in perfect running order.

During the winter and early spring months, the roads are full of potholes that do more damage to your car than you may realize. Rough roads commonly throw cars out of alignment. If your car is pulling to one side or the other, a professional alignment is in order. Along with cold temperatures, potholes take a toll on the components that make up your suspension system, so it’s a good idea to get your suspension checked out professionally to make sure there are no issues. If you’re hearing a clunking sound, or your car seems to be riding rougher than it was before winter, get it checked out immediately. Potholes are also rough on tires, so you may need to invest in a new set for spring and summer. If you’re using winter tires, you also need to get them changed out to all-season tires.

Getting your car ready for spring and summer doesn’t have to be difficult, and performing a bit of basic maintenance every year is a good way to avoid major expenses down the road. Take good care of your car, and it will keep running for years to come!