In North Vancouver, with temperatures still in the single digits and cloudy or rainy weather almost every single day, it may be hard to believe that it’s spring. However, you need to start thinking about getting your car, SUV, truck, or van ready for the warmer and drier weather to come. At Supertech Auto Repair North Vancouver, we’d like to share with you some spring car care and maintenance tips to give your vehicle the care and attention it deserves, and, in the process, extend its lifespan.
Wash and Detail the Exterior of Your Car
By washing and detailing the exterior and interior of your car, you will be able to get rid of damaging remands of winter such as salt, sand, and dirt. If road salt and debris are not removed, they could accelerate the rust process on metal surfaces of your vehicle. That’s why you should give your vehicle a thorough wash, including the undercarriage, once winter has ended. Take care to wash your car with a ph-balanced soap to avoid harming the finish of your paint. Once your car is sparkling clean, you should apply wax to provide protection for your car’s finish from the harmful UV rays of the summer sun.
It’s also important to clean your vehicle’s interior as well. Over the winter months, the interior is subjected to the same pollutants that are found on the exterior of your car. Clean the interior with care and always use quality cleaning and polishing products to preserve your car’s interior.
While you are cleaning your car, you should note any signs of small scratches or chinks on your car’s exterior since they can lead to rust. Consequently, have any exterior damage repaired as soon as possible before it gets worse.
Clean and Restore Your Headlights
During winter, your car’s headlights and taillights tend to get dirty and their clear shiny surface becomes foggy and yellowish. This can affect your safety in terms of visibility at night. There are car care products that can help you clean your headlights and taillights but before you buy anything you should take a warm, damp cloth and wipe them a few times. If this doesn’t improve their condition significantly, you can use products specially made for bringing your headlights back to life.
Check Your Windshield Wipers
Your car’s windshield wipers should be inspected and replaced if necessary. During winter, wiper blades are exposed to extremely cold temperatures, snow, and ice which may damage them so you need to ensure they will be capable of functioning properly. You need to be prepared for the spring rain – the last thing you want in a spring downpour is a smeared or streaky windscreen while driving down a highway.
Check Tire Pressure
Frequent tire maintenance and inspection are a must at all times. Proper tire condition affects your safety as well as your fuel consumption. When we have significant changes in temperature, the air pressure in car tires can fluctuate. In colder weather, tire pressure decreases and causes underinflation which, if left unchecked, can lead to premature wear and increase your chances of a blowout.
Check Tire Alignment & Suspension
Road conditions during winter can wreak havoc on your car’s alignment and suspension. If you notice uneven wear on your tires or you notice your steering wheel is not centred, have your alignment checked. Faulty alignment will wear out your tires much faster and affect the safety and smoothness of your driving experience.
Your vehicle’s suspension can also suffer during winter driving resulting in a bumpy ride and irregular tire wear. Unfortunately, bad suspension can also affect your ability to control your vehicle, especially when stopping or turning. As a result, it is important that you deal with any suspension issues as soon as possible.
Check Your Engine
Having your car engine checked is also recommended since cold temperatures can damage or wear hoses and belts. At Supertech Auto Repair North Vancouver, we believe that a visual check can save you a lot of hustles and even costly repairs. That’s why we provide complimentary multi-point visual checkups to all our customers when they bring their vehicle in for service or repairs.
Take Your Vehicle in for Service
Spring is the perfect time to take your vehicle in for service and a routine inspection. By doing so, you will address any issues that might have occurred during winter and ensure that your car will be running smoothly. Your battery, starter, and alternator should be checked along with all fluids such as engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. Naturally, a brake inspection is always a good idea since salt and slush can cause your brake pads to wear faster.
A spring service can also help identify any underlying issues and prepare your vehicle for longer road trips or off-road excursions. Book your spring car service appointment with Supertech Auto Repair North Vancouver and prepare your vehicle for the challenges of spring and summer weather. Call us now at 604-980-9801 or book your appointment online. Our top service and repair mechanics can answer all your questions and perform the spring service for your vehicle to ensure that it won’t let you down during the upcoming spring and summer months.