10 Important ‘To-Dos’ For Your Vehicle Health

The geese already are flying northward–a spring reminder to plan for the next road trip. Don’t let winter problems keep you from enjoying your next family outing.

Consider: the winter of 2022 placed a lot of stress on your vehicle, and catching potential problems early prevents expensive repair later.

And when it comes to car care, some basic upkeep can make your vehicle look great and improve the health of your family, too.

April car care checklist:

• Weak battery. Changes in temperature tend to trigger battery problems. Don’t let that happen when you are traveling far from home.
• Low tire inflation and unusual tread wear. Tires lose up to 3 PSI per month. Make sure they are inflated properly. Give them the once-over for bulges and unusual wear–sure signs of a damaged tire.
• Squishy brake pedal. If your brake pedal goes all the way to the floor, or if the brake system isn’t responding promptly, there could be a leak in brake lines.
• Clogged cabin air filter. Improve interior health of your cabin, and reduce allergens, by replacing cabin air filters.
• Grime-covered wheels. Road salts, winter sludge and dirty rainwater conspire to tarnish your vehicle’s beautiful alloy or chrome wheels. Left unaddressed, the grime can create stains and pits. Use a cleaner designed specifically for vehicle wheels. Wheel tools also make the job easier (see related article).
• Dull vehicle paint. Like wheels, winter grime left on the surface of your vehicle can lead to permanent stains and eat away at the clear coat finish. Give your vehicle a spa day and follow up with quality wax to protect it throughout spring.
• Hardened, cracked hoses. Cold winter temperatures can lead to cracks in engine hoses, and those cracks can turn into major leaks come warmer days.
• Squealing belts. Hearing squeals from under the hood? The problem could mean it’s time to replace the crucial belts that keep your engine running and operate your vehicle’s charging system.
• Dirty floor mats and carpet. Clean all carpet surfaces to eliminate odor, allergens and mold. Also, consider getting a set of rubberized mats to prevent dirty shoes and spills from reaching carpeted flooring. Rubberized mats may be removed for easy cleaning to eliminate messes and odors.
• Yellowed headlights and bulb replacement. Ask your service advisor about repairing damaged headlights to improve brightness for night driving. That is especially important if your travels take you to areas such as campgrounds where there are no street lights. Perform a vehicle walk-around to check for blown out and dull bulbs. Replacing bulbs is an inexpensive safety service.