Is it time to spring clean your car? If you’ve been hearing odd noises or seeing lights coming up on your dashboard, chances are your vehicle could use a spring tune-up. But you don’t have to notice alarming signs that your car needs a tune-up to get it ready for a new season. Here are five ways you can refresh your vehicle, whether it’s a Subaru or another make!
Most people associate spring cleaning with homes, but did you know that you can also spring clean your car? Winters in PA can be tough on your ride, whether it’s the salt from the road or the freezing temperatures. That’s why the first part of your car spring tune-up should be a thorough wash. You can go to a car wash or do it yourself. If you’re rolling up your sleeves tackling the car wash, a pro tip is to add baking soda to the wash water to help neutralize the salt and save your paint job if your car has a strong salt buildup.
While the residue on your vehicle from the snow and salt is a great sign that your car needs a tune-up, there are some components on your car that you should be checking, like the tires. Don’t wait until you have a flat to make sure your tires are filled up to the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure. You should also be checking the tire treads and rotating them when necessary. These are inspections and maintenance you should already be doing routinely regardless of the season, but if it’s been a while since you’ve done them, add them as a part of your vehicle spring tune-up.
Snow can damage and wear on your windshield wipers, so if your wipers are streaking, replace them. They are inexpensive and simple to replace, so you won’t even need to pay someone to do it for you in Clarion. You should also make sure to top off your windshield wiper fluid and reapply any needed windshield treatments to repel water and rain. This step of spring cleaning your car will refresh the look of your car and make sure you can drive safely even during the rain.
Besides checking your tires, you should also check your car’s electrical system as a part of your vehicle’s spring tune-up. Many parts shops have free battery checks where you can find out just how strong your battery is. If your battery is getting weak, you can prevent future problems by replacing it before it stops working. That way, you won’t be left stranded with a dead battery.
The last way to spring clean your car is to change the oil. Regular oil changes ensure your car has a long, healthy life. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for oil change intervals and oil viscosity, and remember to change the oil filter as well. Some car shops offer fluid top-offs, tire checks, battery checks, and even throw in tire rotation in their oil change prices, so you can take care of almost all of your spring maintenance in just one stop.
Feel free to reach out to Spitzer Subaru for more tricks and tips. If you’re noticing some signs your car needs a tune-up and would like some expert help in DuBois, be sure to schedule a visit and our professionals can resolve any issues for you.
