Be Aware of Your Car- Check Out This Important Spring Maintenance List
This winter was a harsh one, wasn’t it? Sometimes it feels like they get worse every year. Every Chicagoan is waiting for those beautiful spring and summer months and guess who else is waiting? Your car, truck, or SUV.
Old man winter really gives our vehicles a kick in the bumper and it’s not surprising to see a lot of breakdowns in the spring.
Why? Like humans, cars age and things break. Unlike humans, you can always do a spring checkup and maintenance to ensure that you won’t find yourself on the wrong end of a tow truck!
Gear Up for Spring
Prevent small problems from becoming big ones or spot trouble before it starts with a springtime maintenance checkup for your vehicle.
There are a few things you can do yourself as soon as those freezing days are behind us.
- Give It a Good Wash
It’s time to remove all the road grime, salt residue, and plain old dirt from your ride. You can have a pro give your car a good once over or you can do it yourself. Be sure not to forget the wax and a wash underneath your vehicle.
- Repair Chipped Paint
If your vehicle has a few chips (and who doesn’t?!) You should buy a small bottle of touch-up paint and give those ugly little bare spots a cover-up. Not only does this make your vehicle look better, but it can prevent small chips from becoming bigger chips and peeling pain later on.
- Check Mirrors and Lights
You should take a look and be sure that both outside mirrors and the inside mirror are free from blemishes and are in good working order.
The same is true with your outside and inside light bulbs. Have a friend help you or you can check your brake lights, taillights, and reverse lights by backing up into a parking spot that has a large window behind your vehicle. You will see the reflection in the glass.
Most people never realize that a brake light or turn signal light isn’t working until a police officer stops them. Avoid that hassle by checking all your lights now.
If you aren’t sure how to replace a certain bulb, bring your car to the caring experts at Hong Kong Auto Service.
Items Best Left to Experts
While washing and waxing you can probably do yourself and ensure a decent job, there are other items that are best left to the pros, such as:
- Oil and filter change and/or Regular Scheduled Maintenance. While chances are that many of you could change your own oil, there is more to an oil change than the filter and draining/refilling the engine. While your ASE-certified mechanic from Hong Kong Auto Service is underneath your vehicle, they will inspect the tires for uneven or excessive wear, check for oil leaks, check the exhaust system for small holes or broken hangers, and more.
- Replace Wiper Blades and Refill Washer Fluid. If you didn’t change your blades last fall, you will absolutely want to change them now, including the rear wiper if your vehicle has one. Spring rains aren’t that far off and melting snow and ice can obscure your vision if you don’t have good wipers.
- Inspect the Battery. If your battery made it through the harsh winter months, congratulations! However, all those freezing morning starts may have drained an already weak or marginal battery. Have our mechanics inspect the battery and charging system to be sure you aren’t stuck waiting for a jump.
- Inspect or Flush the Brake Fluid. Many people are not aware that brake fluid attracts and absorbs water. When water is inside the brake system, it corrodes metal lines and gives you less stopping power. We can check your brake fluid and let you know if it’s time for a change or if you just need a little topping off.
- Check the Air Conditioning. While you may think the need for air conditioning is still months away, this is the perfect time to check that the system is working, not in the heat of summer when everyone who needs repairs is at the shop! We will inspect or change the cabin filter as well, so you know that when you turn on your A/C, you will be getting the coldest, cleanest air possible.
- Inspect the Engine Coolant. You probably don’t give your engine coolant a second thought until your vehicle overheats. That’s pretty normal, but it can be completely avoided by having your coolant inspected right now. Our professional mechanics will also look at the belt(s) and hoses to ensure you aren’t stranded by a broken hose or belt.
- Check the Shocks and Struts. Potholes wreak havoc on the suspension, shocks, and struts on your vehicle. If you want to avoid bouncing along the expressway or bottoming out when you back out of a driveway, let our mechanics give your shocks and struts the once over to see if they need replacing.
- Check All Filters. This would include the cabin filter, engine air filter, oil filter, and power steering filter if your vehicle has one.
This may sound like a lot, and it is, but the ASE-certified mechanics at Hong Kong Auto Service will make the entire process fast and easy!
Don’t Wait Another Week
In our hectic modern-day lives, it’s easy to put things off until next week. Before you know it, next week becomes next month, which becomes another season.
Don’t put your car off another week! Call Hong Kong Auto Service for a spring maintenance check-up on your vehicle today!
Once your car has been given the green light by the pros at Hong Kong Auto Service, you can hit the road with confidence knowing that your vehicle is ready to take on whatever comes next.
Call the friendly staff at Hong Kong Auto Service today while you’re thinking about it.