Spring Maintenance Tips

Apr 14, 2014

Spring is here once again, and it is time to do some spring cleaning on your car. Now that the frost heaves have gone, it is important to have an alignment performed on your vehicle. Those bumpy commutes can do more than just slosh your coffee around, they can actually knock your wheels out of alignment. Alignment issues result in the wheels all pulling your vehicle in slightly different directions, effectively fighting against each other. When the wheels fight each other, you do not achieve optimal fuel economy, and your tires my wear unevenly. An alignment check is a quick and simple procedure that can help improve the fuel economy of your car and increase the longevity of your tires.

Speaking of tires, be sure to have them rotated every 5,000 miles. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires whenever you have your oil changed or an alignment performed. If you are still driving with snow tires on, it’s time to take them off! Snow tires are excellent for providing additional traction and control on winter roads. Snow tires achieve better winter performance because of two factors: more aggressive tire tread, and a softer rubber compound in the actual tire. This softer rubber is ideal for gripping the roads in cold weather, but during the warm months, it wears down much more quickly than the rubber used in all-season tires. Switching back to all-season or summer tires once the cold months have passed will help extend the life of your winter tires by preventing excess wear. Switching back to all-season or summer tires will also improve your fuel economy thanks to the less aggressive tread on all-season and summer tires.

Now that cold and flu season is behind us, you might want to consider changing your cabin filters. These filters only work properly for a few months, and they can trap harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses. It is best to just switch them out with new filters to get cleaner air and more peace of mind.

Know what I really won’t miss about winter? The road salt. Salt wreaks havoc on cars by eating through paint and rusting metal parts. Be sure to clean your car very thoroughly, especially the under carriage. Better yet, why not get your car professionally detailed with a complete reconditioning? Our hard-working members of the Reconditioning Department can wash, vacuum, shampoo, and buff your car to have it in tip-top shape, inside and out. Spring cleaning is not just for your house. Let’s get your vehicle looking and running great for another wonderful summer season in the Lakes Region!