A detailed interior and exterior wash in spring is a must, but did you know spring-cleaning maintenance is even more important? Colorado winters can be tough on cars and a spring-cleaning maintenance inspection can help prevent breakdowns as the heat begins to tick up.
Here are five essential parts of a spring-cleaning maintenance inspection:
1. Check your battery
The intense Colorado winters can be hard on the battery, alternator, and starter. Having these elements checked will make sure you don’t go out your car one morning, only to find it won’t start.
2. Replace your wiper blades
Wipers take a hit over the winter. The snow and dirt can often make them less effective. Have them replaced to make sure they can do a good job managing those spring showers.
3. Check your tires
You should begin thinking about replacing your tires when the tread reaches 4/32 of an inch. In Colorado when the traction law is in effect, 4/32” is the legally required minimum. To check your tires, use the quarter test. Insert a quarter into the tire tread grooves with Washington’s head upside down and facing you. Check multiple places around the tire and if the top of his head is visible at any point, it is time to replace your tires.
4. Get an alignment
The freezing and thawing of Colorado winters makes for a plethora of potholes forming in early spring. When you hit a pothole, it can knock your car out of alignment. This will cause your tires to wear unevenly and if not addressed, it can even start to damage your drivetrain in all wheel drive vehicles. For more on the danger potholes pose see http://www.carcare.org/hit-pothole-look-warning-signs/.
5. Inspect ventilation system
Did you know your air-conditioning (AC) system can harbor pollen and debris in the evaporator drains? This not only causes the AC system not to perform at its peak efficiency but also causes you to breath in mold and allergens. Have your ventilation system checked to keep you cool and the air you breath clean.
