While many people are aware of the necessity of performing vehicle maintenance before a cold Winter, very few people understand the importance of sprucing up your vehicles during the normal Spring cleaning period to get them ready for the hot Summer. The damage that a cold, icy, and snowy Winter – as well as a rainy and wet Spring – can cause to vehicles can really cause issues when driving in the Summer. Here’s some essential maintenance actions that you should tackle in order to get your car up to par before the Summer, as prepared by the towing experts at Towing Chicago.
Tire Maintenance
Tires are incredibly vulnerable areas of cars, especially if they’ve been driving on cold, icy, or snowy roads during the Winter. Before Summer, make sure to inspect the tire treads and ensure that they don’t have any rips or tears or wear. It might be worthwhile to bring the car to a tire shop so that the tires can be rotated and balanced – even if the treads look fine to your eyes. Additionally, inflate your tires to the correct pressure levels.
Battery Maintenance
After a long Winter, your car’s battery may have been worn down from working with over double the exertion that it does over the Summer. This may lead to degradation – which causes a risk of being stranded by a malfunctioning battery during the Summer. It’s super quick and easy to have your car’s battery tested either with a home battery tester, or the professional equipment at a car parts lot.
Brake System Maintenance
Brake systems are vital for the operation of any vehicle. The sustained cold weather over a Winter can really damage a car’s braking system. Check that your brake fluid levels are at the proper amount, and that the parking brake, and it’s pads, hoses, and lines are all in proper shape. Low amounts of brake fluid is a signal that there is a leak taking place inside the mechanism – which absolutely, 100% NEEDS to be corrected. Any hoses or lines that seem to be cracking or delicate also 100% NEED to be replaced, as well as any worn down pads.
Suspension Maintenance
The cold weather of Winter, or even the wet and slippery weather of Spring can really negatively affect the suspension of any moving vehicle. These seasons are associated with the formation of potholes, which can be hard to see in snow or rain, and can cause damage to your car’s suspension system. This damage might not cause issues at first, but down the line can cause dangerous (and expensive to repair!) issues with your vehicle. Make sure to have your car’s suspension inspected and verified to be in proper shape before Summer gets going.
Belt and Hose Maintenance
Cars of all qualities and price levels can experience cracked belts or snapped hoses – especially after surviving a long Winter. Belts and hoses can weaken, crack, or snap due to low temperatures – issues that become exacerbated with the heat associated of an operating vehicle. Make sure to have your belts and hoses inspected and verified that they are clear of any damage, wear, or weakness before operating your car in the busy Summer.