It’s already March 2020! Time sure does fly by. Raindrops are pouring, flowers are beginning to bloom, and birds are chirping as the weather begins to warm. As seasons change, it is always good to get into the habit of checking, maintaining, cleaning, and organizing. Spring cleaning isn’t just for your closet or your entire house, it is also for your vehicle.
Wash that winter weather off and start over fresh and clean. Depending on where you live and where you travel in your vehicle during the winter months, it is possible that your vehicle has accumulated some cold-weather crud. Your cleaning and maintenance strategies for spring are going to be different than in the winter because of the different needs of your vehicle during these times.
Here are some vehicle spring cleaning tips from Autotrader:
- Wash and wax: Residue from the winter can build up on and underneath your vehicle, especially if you live in an area with regular snow accumulation. Without washing your vehicle, and neglecting to pay special attention to the undercarriage, you are risking negative consequences such as rust or paint deterioration.
- Double check your tire pressure: Anyone with a tire pressure indicator knows that that colder weather brings about a decrease in tire pressure. The experts at Autotrader state: “As air gets warmer again in the spring, tire pressures can increase. If the pressure increases past your manufacturer specification (because you added air during the winter), it can seriously affect your car’s drivability and fuel economy.
- Check wiper blades and replace them if necessary: If you dealt with any amount of snow, sleet, or ice this winter, your vehicle’s wiper blades could have cracked or been damaged. With spring showers on the way, you want to ensure that you have adequate blades.
- Inspect under the hood: This is just as important as checking on the exterior of your vehicle. Autotrader advises drivers to especially “check belts and hoses to ensure the cold temperatures haven’t rendered them brittle or heavily worn. Check your coolant to make sure it’s not too old—an important factor for avoiding overheating as temperatures gradually climb.”
- Check your alignment and suspension: Although it is important to get these two things checked out every so often, it is even more imperative after driving on harsh winter-laden roads. Traversing over ice and snow or dealing with potholes can get your alignment and suspension out of whack.
- Don’t forget about the inside: Dust, vacuum, shine, and throw away! Definitely do not forget about the interior.
Go ahead and put “Spring Clean the Car” on your calendar now so that you do not forget!
If you find yourself needing something extra, such as auto body repair due to an accident or a new paint job, contact Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park, CA. They can help you with your paint or auto body repair needs.