The harsh winter weather is hard on vehicles, both inside and out. Fortunately, you can get your car back into tip-top shape with a few maintenance tasks. By taking care of these things now, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars in repairs down the road. With that in mind, check out this car care checklist to follow this spring.
Give Your Car a Good Cleaning
You spent the cold winter driving down roads full of rock salt, which can erode your vehicle. Thus, start the spring on the right foot by giving your car a thorough cleaning. It’s a good idea to hand wash it so you can ensure that it’s properly cleaned. Also, don’t forget to clean the inside. You likely tracked salt and slush this winter, so you’ll want to remove it before driving into spring.
Repair the Chipped Paint
You might notice some chipped paint when washing your car. That’s normal after a brutal winter, but you can fix it yourself. If you are working with a tight budget, you can use nail polish to fix the chips. You might have trouble finding a perfect match, though. If that’s the case, you can still protect the area by applying a coat or two of clear nail polish.
Replace Your Windshield Wiper Blades
Your wiper blades had to battle the elements all winter long. Unfortunately, icy windshields can damage wiper blades, so you likely need to replace them to ensure they’re ready for the spring showers.
Check Your Washer Fluid
Your washer fluid does more than keep your windows clean. It also serves as a deicer in the winter, meaning you might have used a lot more than you realized. Thus, check your windshield wash fluid levels and add more if needed.
Check the Tires
The air in your tires condenses in cold weather and expands in warm weather, meaning you might not have the optimal tire pressure right now. Thus, use a tire gauge to determine if you need to add or remove air.
You should also use a penny to check the treads when inspecting your tires. First, fish out a penny, turn it upside down, and stick it between the tread. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered, you still have enough tread. However, if you can see his entire head, it’s time for new tires.
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Test the Car Battery
The winter weather is also brutal on your car’s battery, so it’s a good idea to check the charge before leaving for your next outing. Bring it to Bob Brady Hyundai, and our experts will make sure your battery is in top shape. Or, if it’s at the end of its lifespan, they will make sure you get the right battery to replace it.
But what if your car barely made it through the winter, and you’re not sure it can handle another season? That means it’s time to buy a new vehicle. We make it easy to find and purchase a new car. You can take care of the entire process at home, and we’ll deliver your vehicle to you. You can also head over to see our inventory in person.