5 Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Car

From potholes and road salt to ice and snow, winter weather puts stress on cars. Check out these spring auto maintenance tips.

Winter can be brutal on your car. In many areas of the country, drivers face snow storms, below-zero temperatures and pot holes – conditions not conducive for healthy cars.

Mechanics say spring is a good time to wash away the winter sludge and tune up your ride.

Here are five spring car maintenance tips to keep in mind:

1. Remove leftover salt

Salt, used on roads to melt ice and snow, can cause serious damage to cars, especially their undercarriages where metal can rust. Take your car to a highly rated car wash to eliminate salt, and check that the business has sprayers that clean the undercarriage.

2. Check alignment and suspension

Driving over potholes can damage your car’s alignment and suspension, says Scott McClure, owner of highly rated Westerville Automotive in Ohio. You might have a problem if you notice that the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel vibrates as you drive. An alignment check typically costs $25 to $40.

3. Change oil and check fluids

“If your last oil change was before winter, then this is a great time to do it,” says McClure. He adds that spring is also an ideal time to flush your transmission fluid. “It’s one of the most neglected services,” he says. “It’s a very costly repair - between $2,200 and $4,200 - if you have to rebuild or repair (a transmission).”

Mechanics recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Don’t forget to check window washing fluid levels, as well as your brake and cooling system fluids.

4. Rotate tires and check air pressure

“You should check the tire pressure, including the spare should you ever need it,” says Leann Kinney, owner of highly rated Jeff’s Auto Service in Hopkins, Minnesota. “You car’s tires affect the ride, handling, traction and safety.”

Mechanics recommend tire rotation every 5,000 miles to keep tread wear even.

“One of the biggest issues we see is the front tires wearing out prematurely,” McClure says. “That can lead to handling issues. Tires aren’t cheap. They can go from $500-$600 for four new ones.”

5. Inspect brakes

Nothing, perhaps, is more important than having brakes that function properly. Have a technician check the pads and rotors to ensure there are no safety issues. Neglecting them can lead to a costlier repair down the line.

Read more at: https://www.angieslist.com/articles/5-spring-maintenance-tips-your-car.htm