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April is known as National Car Care Month. And, with good reason. Winter wreaks havoc on cars and after the winter thaw, it becomes necessary to perform an annual spring maintenance check and inspection on your vehicle. This is to ensure that all aspects of your motor vehicle are performing at an optimal level. Small hidden problems can thus be identified and addressed before these problems become serious.
Here are seven checklist items for your annual spring maintenance check and inspection:
Test and Replace Your Car Battery
The car's battery and the electrical system work harder during winter, and thus, it becomes necessary to check and replace the battery during spring.
Check Car Tires
Changing temperatures could result in uneven air pressure. This in turn causes uneven wear on the tires. Apart from tire pressure, tire treads should also be inspected to ensure that there is sufficient tread left. Place a penny in the groove of the tread. If the entire head surface of Lincoln is visible then tires need to be replaced.
Oil and Oil Filter Change
In order to maintain the health of the engine, regular oil changes are required. In addition, checking the oil filter ensures that impurities in the oil are picked up.
Inspect The Brake Fluid
Inspect to see that brake fluid levels are at the required level, at least half, and make sure that brake fluid is clear and translucent, as this may indicate that the brake fluid needs to be flushed and replaced if the fluid is not clear.
Replace Wiper Blades and Refill Wiper Fluid
Firstly, clean the wiper blades. Winter takes its toll overworking the wiper blades. If cleaning the blades is not sufficient and they do not perform optimally, it may be time to replace the blades and refill the wiper fluid.
Refill Transmission Fluid
A lot of transmission fluid is used up during the winter months and a refill may be required as this is a costly repair when left unattended.
Check Engine Coolant
During the hot seasons, the engine may heat up more than other periods of the year. This is one of the most important checks on the engine. Fill with a 50/50 mix of water and anti-freeze.
Apart from these checks and inspections, wash the car and check the washer fluid to make sure it is at the required level. Once your checks are complete, you are ready to take your car for its first spring cruise.