8 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Spring Car Care Month!

April is National Spring Car Care Month!

April is National Car Care Month, and it’s the perfect time to give your vehicle a little extra care! Like our homes and our yards, our cars need a little spring cleaning after the winter. Here are a couple of tips to have you start your spring off on the right foot!

8 Tips to get the MOST out of Spring Car Care Month!

1. Get an oil change: Not only is it good practice to get an oil change when you’re going into a new season, but it’s essential to get one when transitioning from winter to spring. Some vehicles call for heavier-weight oil for the winter months that help deal with colder temperatures. With the temps rising, it’s good to change that oil out for a different weight.
2. Refresh your wiper blades: Whether it’s ice, snow, or salt/sand residue that ended up on your windshield, your wipers should be replaced. If they look like they’ve still got life in them, you can put a little rubbing alcohol in a paper towel and run it along the length to give them a quick refresh!
3. Change your cabin air filter: You should change your cabin air filter for two reasons in the spring. If you have allergies in the spring, replacing your cabin air filter can help – when your cabin air filter is clogged with other debris, it doesn’t as effectively filter out allergens like pollen, dirt, and dust. Another reason to have your cabin air filter checked and replaced is if your vehicle has sat for extended periods outside or in storage, it’s possible critters have made your air filters home! Changing the filter can discourage them from coming back and protects you from breathing in animal waste or other allergens.
4. Swap to your summer tires: Springtime is when you should change your winter tires for your summer tires. It’s essential to wait until the average temperature is over 40° F because winter tires perform best when it’s below 40° F. Rough driving in higher temps with your winter tires can cause the soft rubber compound of winter tires to wear unnecessarily quickly.
5. Get a brake check: Springtime is the perfect time to check your brakes. Did you know that brake wear and tear tends to increase in the winter months? The difficult road conditions like slipping or sliding on ice cause us all to use our brakes more than we would normally. This constant use can wear brakes out faster. Depending on how often you brake or how aggressive a driver you are, brakes can wear out quickly, and even excessive friction and heat can cause cracks to form. If you’ve noticed any squeaking, grinding, or squealing, it’s time to get your brakes checked. At VIP, you can get a free brake check anytime!
   

   

6. Get an alignment: In New England, when the snow melts, it reveals… potholes! They range in size from small little moguls to bigger ones that make you cringe the moment you hit them, all the way up to the massive ones that seem like they could swallow your car whole! On top of doing your best to slow down and avoid these hazards in the road, you should also get an alignment check in the spring. It’s a great time to have it done since you’re already swapping out your winter tires for summer ones. Make sure that your summer tires don’t wear out quickly by ensuring that they’re straight. Plus, if you happen to hit one of those MONSTER potholes, you can always turn to VIP because our professional wheel alignments come with a 90-day warranty!You may also want to have a technician take a peek at your suspension while they’re at it! Not only are potholes rough on your tires and alignment, but they can take a serious toll on your shocks and struts.
7. Top off those fluids: Be sure to check your fluids in the Springtime! Some coolants are made for winter weather and need to be changed out for fluids that can take high heat better. It’s always a good idea to have enough washer fluid for better visibility.
8. Take it to the Car Wash, yeah!: Make sure that you give your vehicle a good wash! The sand, salt, and chemicals that New England uses on their roads for winter storm preparation and traction are corrosive on vehicle frames, brake lines and fluid lines, and even your paint! Don’t forget to spray the undercarriage to get all the sand, salt, grime, and dirt off!

So, as you begin to tackle the spring cleaning projects of your home and yard, don’t forget to give your vehicle a little love! It’ll perform better in the long run and be ready for when the desire for summer road trips and wanderlust hit! Turn to VIP TODAY and schedule your next appointment!