As your winter clothes slowly get put back into the closet and your sandals come out, there is the need for your vehicle to recover from the unforgivable weather and the rough neglect that it has undergone all through winter. Hence, it is imperative that you prepare for spring and summer! To help you with that, here are 7 tips for preparing for the HEAT!
1. Clean Undercarriage from Salt
If you live in a city where it snows regularly, your car is going to have salt all on the undercarriage of your car which will is corrosive and will eat away at your vehicle if not cleaned properly. Take your car to a DIY car wash or use a pressure washer to clean your undercarriage, having a high pressure hose will ensure you get off all the winter grime and salt under your vehicle. Once you get the underside cleaned, open up the hood and clean the engine block. It is recommended that you use a car washing mitt and warm soapy water to wipe it down. Remove any leaves or other debris that have made their way under your hood. This is extremely IMPORTANT! We carry 5000 PSI undercarriage cleaners here
2. Check the Wiper Blades
Your wiper blades work very hard all winter wiping away all the heavy snow, debris, and salt left on your windshield. Also depending where you’re traveling, summer means heavy rain. So if you are traveling to a place like Florida, then we highly recommend that you change your wiper blades immediately! Find wiper blades here
3. Check your Tires
If you don’t know how the warm weather affects your vehicle, read our article “How Does Warm Weather Affect Summer Tire Pressure” here! Tire pressure changes about 1 pound per square inch for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in outside temperature, so it's important to check tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge after weather changes. Check your owner’s manual for the correct PSI and always check your tire pressure. Buy reliable tire gauges here!
4. Check Battery
If your battery isn’t brand new, you should ensure that you check it regularly for a buildup of corrosion, and have it cleaned. We recommend using a toothbrush with a baking soda and water mixture to remove it. Also checking your batteries charge at the nearest auto parts store will let you know how much charge is left on your battery, giving you an accurate estimation for when you should have it changed! We carry a variety of replacement terminals and battery testers and chargers here.
5. Check Air Filter
If there is anything a lot of us are guilty about, it has to be procrastinating, and that is why we keep postponing having our vehicle’s air filter checked. Why do you need a clear air filter? If you have a dirty air filter, this can affect your gas millage as well as cause premature damage to your engine. According to the Car Care Council, replacing a clogged filter can improve your car’s mileage by as much as 10 percent. Chevrolet advises a 45,000 mile change, while Ford recommends a 30,000 mile interval. If you live in dustier areas, or if you drive under severe conditions, you may need to change it more often.
6. Changing Oil and Other Fluids
If you live in an area where the winters are really cold, then we recommend you perform a vehicle oil change, and in this context, it means changing your vehicle’s oil viscosity. Why? If you use heavier oil during the summer, your vehicle’s performance will improve. If you live in an area where it has extremely hot summers, then we recommend changing your oil as well to get the best performance out of your vehicle.
Inspect all the other fluids in your vehicle and take your vehicle to the dealership to get a checkup if possible. If you think you can DIY, read our “10 basic repairs that you should know”
Inspect your coolant, brake, steering fluids as well, and look out for vehicle oil leaks. Make sure that the coolant is a standard 50/50 mix of coolant and water. If it’s been two years, you should have your radiator flushed as well.
Now that you have read this article, take it into action! Doing these 6 steps will only benefit you and your VEHCILE! If you have any other suggestions, comment them below!
Enjoy the weather while you can!
Video version: https://youtu.be/VR3CBEOLkx0
DAP
Keywords: Tire pressure gauge, vehicle oil change, vehicle oil leaks, undercarriage cleaners, windshield wipers, oil, wiper fluid.