The sun is shining and warmer temperatures are surely ahead. Now is the time to get that car prepared for Spring! March has traditionally been in like a lion, out like a lamb. LCM Used Car Center has teamed up with Edmunds to give you helpful hints on prepping that ride, new or used, for warmer weather and dry roads.
First off, the undercarriage - make sure you wash off any salt from the road off of it. Salt, mud and dirt can wear away at your car over time, so take it to a car wash - don't be stingy, spend a few bucks to make sure a power wash gets every last speck of grime. In the long run, road salt can seriously damage components underneath. Trust us, you don't want to replace a fuel compartment or filler pump.
Check the tires, tire pressure changes 1 pound per square inch every 10 degrees Fahrenheit changes. You should be running different pressures in cold/messy weather than you do on dry, normal seasons. Optimal pressures can typically be found in your owner's manual or on a sticker around the driver's side door. Also check wiper blades, they've been through a lot this year (depending on where in the country you live). Refill your windshield washer fluid reservoir.
Change the oil and oil/air filters. This should be done every couple of months anyway, or at least 3000 - 5000 miles. It's fun to work on this yourself, but as most Quick Lube places offer $20-30 oil and filter changes, might as well kill a lunch break and take the car in.
Flush and fill cooling systems with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. Finally, check the battery and spark plugs. Plugs fire roughly 3 million times every 1,000 miles. Dirty spark plugs cause misfiring, and wastes fuel.
Follow these tips and you'll be ready for a sunny Spring and Summer of safe driving.
[INFO] http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-ways-to-get-your-car-ready-for-spring-and-summer.html