Say goodbye to winter and hello to spring! The new season is here, which can only mean one thing for most car owners: time to bring your vehicle to road-worthy shape for the numerous road trips and joy rides you’ll take this spring. A car dealer in Albuquerque, NM, says that now is the perfect time to get your vehicles out of your winter storage facility, peel off its cover, crack its windows and leave the doors open (and let some fresh air in), and get it ready for spring.
Check your tires.
Even if you left your car untouched in your garage for the entire winter, there’s still a high probability that your tires are affected by the cold winter temperatures. All-season tires, in particular, tend to stiffen when the temperature goes below 20 degrees. This makes your tires more prone to cracking.
A dealership in Albuquerque, NM, stresses that you should put extra attention in checking the tire’s tread and the rubber quality as both can deteriorate over time. Cold weather can also cause tires to be underinflated, so make sure to also check your tire pressure before driving.
Wash from the bottom up.
For those who have no choice but to drive their vehicles during winter, you have exposed your car to snow, slush, and road salt–all of which can cause severe damage to your beloved vehicle. For this reason, it is a good idea to get your car thoroughly washed as soon as springtime comes. If you are visiting a professional car wash, make them start their cleaning from the bottom up. They need to power-wash the undercarriage first to remove all the salt and grime, which can cause corrosion problems. A car dealer in Albuquerque, NM, even advises owners to use a car jack to raise their vehicles for a more thorough undercarriage wash.
Afterward, you can move their attention to cleaning under the hood. Just remove any crusty, white residues off your car’s battery and any other debris that have found their way to your engine. Then they can proceed to scrub your vehicle inside-out. Ask them to use a steam cleaner to remove all traces of road salt from your car’s carpet and mats. Also, don’t forget to ask them to clean the window channels and the bottom of the doors.
Don’t stress if all of this cleaning means you have to spend extra dollars on a car wash as it is still much cheaper than repairing any damage that winter may have caused your vehicle.
Change your wiper blades and check your fluid levels.
Cold temperatures don’t only affect tires, but they can also damage your wiper blades. It’s wise to replace them entirely with new ones to prepare you for springtime rain. While you are at it, check if your wiper fluid level is still okay as well. Though some will say that you can refill it with plain water, it is still better to use the wiper fluid that you can buy from any auto shop as it can do a better job of keeping your car’s windshield clean and clear.
Need more tips to prepare your vehicle this spring? Check out Fiesta Volkswagen dealer in Albuquerque, NM.
