The temperatures are rising, flowers are beginning to bloom, and spring is in the air! Does your vehicle have what it takes for spring and summer driving? Here are a few items to check to make sure your car is ready for whatever the upcoming seasons bring:
Wipers: You can only expect about a year out of even the best wipers before the sun's UV rays and normal wear take their toll on them. If you're seeing streaks on the windshield or if you are noticing strips or chips of rubber gone from the blades (or if they just seem cracked and dried out), go ahead and change them. Fresh wipers will make a world of difference during springtime rain.
Cooling system service: At regular intervals, your cooling system should be flushed and refilled with fresh coolant, to protect the radiator and other components against corrosion. If you can't remember how long it has been since this service was performed, we'll be happy to check your coolant's condition and specific gravity with a hygrometer and make recommendations from there.
A/C service: Over the course of a year, even a car that's only a few years old can lose as much as five percent of its refrigerant. We'll check your system's refrigerant level and top it off if needed, along with inspecting the compressor and drive belt, cleaning bugs and dirt from the condenser and checking all the system's switches, relays, and connections. You'll be thankful for a properly performing air conditioner as the temperatures begin to rise.
Oil change: Can you remember how long it's been since your oil was changed? Pull the dipstick; is the oil honey-colored and translucent? If so, it's fairly clean. Oil that's translucent but darker can go a while longer, but oil that's the color of black coffee and has an acrid smell is due for a change right away. Regular oil changes are vital to the longevity and overall performance of your vehicle.
Spring and summer mean road trips and fun, so make an appointment with 106 St. Tire and Wheel to get your vehicle in tip-top shape for all of the fun the upcoming seasons will bring!