Vehicle Maintenance Checklist for Springtime

When the snow starts melting and the flowers start blooming, many drivers feel like their cars are in the clear after enduring the winter. However, here at Fisher Honda, your local Boulder Honda dealer, we know that problems caused by the winter months may still be lingering, and that spring comes with its own host of seasonal problems. Here are a list of tips to follow in order to have your car up and running beautifully in time for some enjoyable warm weather spring driving.

• Tend to Essential Maintenance: Any vehicle service that your car has required, but was put off to be taken care of when the weather got nicer, should be dealt with as soon as possible. Give your vehicle an oil change, get a tune up, check your tire pressure, and make sure your fluid levels are all stable.
• Check your Belts, Hoses, and Windshield Wipers: Inspect all of these areas for any winter damage such as cracks, leaks, swelling, or fraying. Any heat or humidity will only serve to increase these problems, which will of course wait until the middle of a spring vacation road trip to give you trouble. Take care of these issues immediately to ensure your safety. Take a close look at your windshield wipers as well. If they got you through the winter just fine, that does not necessarily mean that they will get you through the summer. Risking the wipers you have now during a thunderstorm might result in decreased visibility because they can’t handle the downpour.
• Test your Battery: If your battery had a tough time handling winter with its demanding starting conditions, it would be in your best interest to have your battery tested. While a battery that fails in warmer weather might not seem as bad as it failing during freezing temperatures, why even run the risk at all? If it does not test well, summer will only put more stress on your battery, so get it replaced if necessary.
• Rotate and Check the Tread on your Tires: Tires with a worn-down tread will increase the risk to you or others during slick, wet conditions associated with summer driving. Decreased maneuverability and shorter stopping distances will occur with tire treads that have been around the block a few times. Also be sure to rotate your tires, as the increased temperature variation from day to night will cause tires to lose pressure more quickly.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to have complete peace of mind for your spring and summer road trips. At Fisher Honda, we want our customers to get the most out of their vehicles, and our maintenance and service department would be happy to perform any of the service necessities listed to keep you car safe. Stop by soon!