As spring approaches, it is easy to forget your vehicle. A little bit of TLC can go a long way, helping your car to run more smoothly and preventing inconvenient break downs and potentially costly damage. Before you head out for a spring-time road trip, take a look at what you need to do to get your vehicle in shape for spring.
Get Your Car Checked
Regardless of when your next service is due, if you are planning a long trip, take your car to a trusted local garage to make sure that there aren’t any issues that have arisen since your last service. A mechanic will be able to identify potential issues that could arise within the next few hundred miles of driving.
Check Your Battery
Winter takes its toll on every element of your vehicle. In colder weather, it takes more power to get your starter and alternator going; this means that your battery has to work harder. If your headlights or interior lights are dimmer, or your electric windows seem a little sluggish, these could be signs that your battery is low on power.
Check Your Tyres
Gritted roads, cooler temperatures and braking in challenging conditions all affect your tyres. A local tyre centre will check your tyres for free and tell you whether you need new ones. As temperatures get warmer, the air in your tyres will expand – check your user manual to make sure your tyre pressure is at a safe level.
Check Your Brakes
Icy temperatures and gritted roads can affect your brakes; salt getting into the system can cause them to erode. Ask your garage to check your brakes. If you notice your brakes pulling to one side when you brake, they need to be checked. Likewise, if your brake pedal feels soft or your car makes a grinding or squealing noise, contact your local garage.
Test Your Air Conditioning
It is possible that you haven’t had your air con on for a while. Summer may not be here yet, but the last thing you need is to be stuck on a long drive in hot weather with no air con. Run the engine for a few minutes then turn the air con on cool to make sure it is working properly.
Check Your Fluids
Oil, washer fluid, water – all are easy to check and could save you time, inconvenience and even money in the long term. If you are in doubt about how to check your oil and water, check your user manual.
We all take our vehicles for granted and often forget that these simple checks can save a lot of inconvenience in the long run. If you are unsure about how to do these checks yourself but you don’t want a full service, call your local garage and ask if they will do a quick check on the basics. By investing this little bit of time, you are more likely to have an enjoyable, stress-free spring and summer!