The spring car maintenance checklist you need to see
Springtime is the season of fresh starts. Most of us “spring clean” our houses every year, but what about our vehicles? After a season of cold temperatures, harsh weather and road salts, your vehicle needs a little extra love! Wave goodbye to winter and prepare for safe, warm weather driving with this easy spring vehicle maintenance checklist!
Time to Retire the Winter Tires
If you haven’t already, switch your winter tires for all-season or summer tires. There are mandatory dates for some regions in Canada, but this change generally happens when temperatures start rising above 7 degrees Celsius. You should be using the appropriate tires for each season to prevent tire wear and damage to your vehicle. Using your winter tires for the warmer months will not be effective and could be dangerous.
Tire Rotation
Since you’re already swapping out your winter tires, it is a good time to rotate your tires too. Tire rotation involves switching the back tires to the front, and vice versa.
Because the weight of a vehicle isn’t distributed evenly on tires, the treadwear on each is impacted differently. Front tires almost always carry more weight because they direct the vehicle’s steering and also hold more weight during braking as a car shifts forward. Rotation is one of the easiest and most effective things to do before spring hits as it can extend the lifespan of your tires while also improving gas mileage.
This is also a great time to make sure to check your tire pressure and tread depth to ensure that your tires are safe for the summer roads ahead.
Check the Brakes
Neglecting your brakes after the winter season could result in costly repairs down the road, not to mention potential safety and driving issues. Have a certified mechanic check your vehicle’s brakes, including the pads and rotors. Road salt and other harsh contaminants take their toll on critical components of the brake system.
Check your Suspension
Your vehicle’s suspension system is responsible for smoothing out the ride and keeping your vehicle in control. Shock, struts and other suspension components are exposed to the extremes of winter driving. Checking in the Spring to make sure your suspension is safe is important to ensure your vehicle always stays in control.
Replace old Wiper Blades
Thawing, freezing, and scraping over icy windshields can cause wiper blades to warp, bend, and crack. If you start to see streaks across your windshield even after you’ve cleaned your wipers, it’s time to switch them out.
Our service departments and Auto-Tec Service Center are offering free wiper installation to help you out.
Battery
From -40°C to above-freezing temperatures, your car battery goes through extreme fluctuations from season to season. Low temperatures forced your battery to work harder by slowing down its chemical reactions. Now, high temperatures are right around the corner, ready to evaporate essential battery fluids and speed up corrosion. To avoid that dreaded feeling when your car won’t start, have your battery checked by a certified mechanic
Schedule an Oil Change
Oil changes are one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle. Regularly scheduled oil changes every 3-6 months (or every 8,000 to 16,000 km) helps maintain a healthy engine. As motor oil lubricates and cools the engine, it naturally picks up impurities. This is good! What’s not so good, however, is that oil becomes less effective as it ages. If it’s too old, your motor oil can’t do its job to protect your engine. An oil change ensures adequate lubrication of moving parts and that all internal components of the vehicle are working well together.
Schedule a Detailing & Waxing
The exterior of your vehicle may not seem as important as the inside of your engine, but Canadian winters can take its toll on your vehicle’s interior, body and undercarriage. Washing and detailing your vehicle regularly can stop paint from chipping and also stop salt and other contaminants from the road to damage your investment. The best way to combat permanent damage is through regular cleaning and detailing.
Maintenance is the key to a long-lasting and safe vehicle. Luckily, we have many service locations to serve you and to help with all of your spring-summer vehicle maintenance. Contact dealership or Service Center nearest you to hear about our Summer Servicing promotions!