How to prep your car for changing seasons
When bad weather finally breaks, a good way to start prepping a vehicle for spring and summer is with a wash.
While washing, Mary Weichey of Weichey's Quality Auto Glass said, people should check the vehicle carefully, especially the windshield.
Weichey said winter weather conditions can be detrimental to car windows, contributing to some of their company's busiest months of the year, which are March and April.
“Everybody is pulling their vehicles out and getting ready for summer,” she said. “We have a lot of chips and a lot of broken windshields.”
Weichey said most people see damage during the winter months from rocks kicked up by another vehicle's tires, but some people don't realize that the rocks can come flying from the cars in your lane and oncoming traffic.
“I don't know if there's really anything they can prepare for,” Weichey said of how people can mitigate the risk. “Maybe try and stay farther back from larger trucks.”
She said once the damage is done people shouldn't wait to have their windshield fixed. A small ding can split into a crack under the right circumstances.
“Get it to us sooner rather than later,” Weichey said. “Reason being, once the dirt and water get in there, there's more of chance of the damage spreading.”
After washing off the salt and chemicals and checking the exterior, adding a fresh coat of wax can fade minor scratches and provide a protective coating.
Then it's time to pop the hood, according to Jim Sgro of Butler Tires for Less.
Sgro said people should check all the filters and fluid levels to ensure the car's mechanical health. He said people should also check any warning lights, and get the car inspected if it needs it.
“Make sure your tire pressure monitor is working,” he said.
Sgro said the number of inspections done are one area his shop doesn't see a difference in the Spring.
“We're busy 12 months out of the year on inspections,” he said.Sgro said tires are sometimes overlooked when preparing for spring and summer. He said most people typically worry about their tires in the winter, when they know they'll need the traction to avoid accidents. But people should take their summer plans into consideration when making decisions about buying new tires, he said.“A depth of 4/32 or 5/32, obviously they pass, but they're not ideal for long trips,” Sgro said.Sgro said one of the most important tire-related checks is alignment.“You have a lot of alignment issues because of potholes,” he said. “A lot of them do need some tweaking after the winter roads.”Sgro said bad alignment can affect wear patterns, cutting into the life of the affected tires.“It's important for the longevity of the tires,” Sgro said. “A lot of people overlook it until there's a wear issues, but by that time it's too late.”Sgro said caring for a car in the spring is like the first cutting of a lawn or the airing out of a stuffy home. He said it's essential.“Just like a spring cleaning we do at home,” Sgro said.
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