It’s been a long and harsh winter, hasn’t it? Maybe not one for the record books, but those long months of blizzards, below freezing temps, salt, and ice storms have probably taken their toll on your car.
While most people are anxiously awaiting a weekend where they can wash, wax, and detail the interior of their ride, this is the perfect time to do some preventative maintenance to improve both performance and the lifespan of your vehicle.
No one wants a breakdown that could have been discovered early and prevented, so why not get the gunk out of your vehicle and give your vehicle a fresh start?
May is probably the best month to give your vehicle a spring check-up before the really hot, humid weather hits. Now that the snow and ice should be gone until the end of the year, you’ll want to give your car a thorough inspection, which should include:
Replacing Filters
Oil, fuel, cabin, and air filters are some of the first things you should consider changing. Unless your vehicle has recently been serviced, the oil is ready to be changed for a lighter summer blend and a new filter will keep your engine clear of contaminants that naturally occur in combustion engines.
The air filter should also be swapped out with a clean one. This improves the quality (and quantity if the filter is severely contaminated) of air that your engine receives. Easier breathing for your engine via a new air filter means not only improved performance but improved gas mileage.
The cabin air filter is also important, not for the motor, but for you and your passengers. The cabin air filter removes dust, allergens, dirt, leaves, and other contaminants that can enter the inside of your vehicle. When the cabin filter becomes very dirty, it not only can allow dust and allergens to enter the air you breathe, but it can limit the amount of airflow you get from the vents or the air conditioning.
Changing the fuel filter is also an excellent idea. As the name implies, this filter removes contaminants and prevents them from clogging and possibly even damaging your fuel injectors. Replacing the fuel filter is cheap insurance to guard against injector damage.
The pros at My Mechanic will inspect and replace all filters so that your vehicle is operating at its best.
A/C Inspect/Recharge
Regularly servicing your air conditing system can help it run more efficiently so that you can enjoy cleaner, cooler air and use less gas while doing so. Dirty condenser coils, leaking hoses, and other problems can cause your AC to not blow as cold as you like or to stop working right when you need it most.
The pros at My Mechanic will inspect the system for damage, check that the system is working properly, test your AC for leaks, and recharge the system as required.
Coolant Flush/Inspection
While it might be difficult to imagine a liquid wearing out, coolant does lose its ability to prevent freezing and overheating with time.
No one wants to be stranded with a broken hose, belt, or overheating vehicle. Having your cooling system inspected today means you won’t have to worry when you take your vacation later.
Our ASE-certified mechanics will inspect your cooling system for damage and leaks, then flush out the old coolant and replace it with clean, fresh coolant that was designed for your year, make, and model of vehicle.
Brake Fluid Flush/Inspection
The braking system on your vehicle uses a hydraulic fluid aptly called brake fluid. One of the problems with brake fluid is that it absorbs water from the air. Water does not compress as brake fluid does and it can allow rust and/or corrosion to form inside the braking system, which is not a good thing.
We will inspect the braking system on your vehicle, checking it for leaks and proper operation. The old, contaminated brake fluid will be removed and flushed completely clear before we add new fluid and bleed the air out of the system.
Everyone wants a car with a sound, good working brake system, and after the pros at My Mechanic inspect and clean the brakes of your car, you will feel safer while driving.
We will also be happy to inspect your tires, check the condition of your battery, and if your Check Engine light is on, we can diagnose and repair that issue as well so you can have your smog inspection performed without worries.
If You Have an Electric Vehicle
While some people believe that EVs don’t require maintenance, nothing is further from the truth. An EV might be low maintenance, but they still have systems that require inspection and servicing.
Your electric vehicle may not have oil to change or a cooling system to worry about, your vehicle still has a battery, a braking system, tires, a cabin filter, and an air conditioning system that should all be inspected, as well as the power steering, half-shafts, and windshield wipers.
Better to be Safe Than Sorry
While no one can predict the future, one thing is certain; your vehicle is a finely tuned piece of machinery that requires maintenance if you want to avoid breakdowns, improve your fuel mileage, and extend the lifespan of your vehicle.
The strain that winter weather puts on your vehicle leaves it more susceptible to breakdowns or bigger repair bills if the smaller items, such as maintenance, are not taken care of promptly.
