It feels like it’s been a long winter, maybe not one for the record books, but freezing temps, salt, and ice have probably taken their toll on your car. Spring Break is right around the corner and 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. Taking the time to have your vehicle inspected may seem like a time-consuming endeavor but if you are stranded with a dead battery or a broken belt, how time-consuming would that be?
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 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 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 insurance to guard against injector damage.
A/C Inspect/Recharge
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.
Inspect the Belts and Hoses
The belts and hoses on your car are made from a sturdy rubber compound, but they don’t last forever. Nothing can ruin a road trip faster than a broken belt or a busted radiator hose.
Also, if your vehicle will soon be ready for an emission inspection, this would be the perfect time to do a tune-up.
Fluid Levels
Your car needs various fluids to operate, everything from engine oil to coolant to brake fluid. These fluids provide lubrication to engine parts, prevent overheating, and ensure you can stop the car.
It’s a good idea to have all fluid levels inspected at this time of year. You should look at the coolant, transmission, brake, power steering, engine oil, and windshield wiper fluid.
Tires: Pressure and Tread
The proper tire pressure is essential for having the best control over your vehicle as you barrel down the road, and it helps maximize fuel economy. We will make sure that your tires are set to the proper PSI for the best road trip ever!
When it comes to safety on the road, the amount of tread left on your tires is also critical. Your tire tread needs to have a depth of more than 2/32 inches to be safe. We actually prefer to see at least 3/32 to 4/32 tread left. And if you haven’t had your tires rotated in a while, that can lead to premature tread wear. We can rotate your tires if needed to help you get more miles out of them.
Realign the Front End
The potholes in and around Chicago can knock you out of your seat and your front end out of alignment. When the front suspension is out of alignment, it causes your expensive tires to wear out much faster, as well as reduces performance. Have the front end realigned as soon as possible.
Brakes
Next to tires in importance is your car’s ability to stop when necessary. If you haven’t had your brakes inspected lately, don’t just assume that they are all good to go. Although the signs of wear and tear might be obvious—like grinding, squeaking or a brake warning light—we can do a visual inspection to make sure the brake pads are applying evenly and to ensure the rotors aren’t rusted through or too thin.
Battery Check
A dead battery can put a damper on departure time or the start of a new day on your trip. A battery check before your trip is quick and easy. But there is nothing quick or easy about having to replace a battery on the road or being stuck when you’re trying to get somewhere.
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, but 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.
Safety First
Don’t neglect one of your most valuable investments! It’s time to get your car, truck, or SUV ready for spring weather. You can schedule online or call either location to get your vehicle in for service and maintenance. Our schedule gets filled up the closer it gets to spring break, so don’t wait!
The pros at My Mechanic will be happy to give your vehicle a springtime inspection. Once you know your vehicle is ready to hit the road, you can concentrate on finalizing your travel plans and getting everyone packed and ready to go.
