Winter can do a number on your car. Slush, salt and cold temperatures take a toll on everything from the tires to
the wiper blades. So, with spring finally here, it's a good idea to give your
car a thorough once-over to undo winter's damage.
It won't cost a lot. You can the work yourself or visit a car wash and a
garage. Goodyear, Firestone and other car care centers will rotate your tires,
change your oil and fluids and inspect your vehicle for winter damage for $35
or less.
Here are five things you can do to shake off winter and get your car in shape for spring:
Here are five things you can do to shake off winter and get your car in shape for spring:
Wintertime driving will coat the bottom of your car with salt, sand and other
grime that can cause corrosion. Corrosion can lead to rust problems, which can
make your car much harder to resell or even dangerous to drive. Spend a few extra dollars for the undercarriage power wash at the local car
wash or spray the car's bottom with your own hose. If possible, use a car jack
to raise the vehicle for a more thorough cleaning, advises Bill Kropelnicki,
president and owner of Rambling River Repair in Farmington, Minn. There's no
need to use soap or any other cleaner.
While you're at it, open the hood and wipe down the engine with a soft mitt and
soapy water. And remove all the leaves and debris that can find their way into
the car, says Cliff Weathers, deputy autos editor for Consumer Reports. And
remove any crusty white residue off the battery with a toothbrush, baking soda
and water. The residue - caused by corrosion - can eventually prevent your car
from starting. The cleaning also helps prepare the battery for the stress of
warmer temperatures.
2. Scrub inside and out
Salt and sand can damage the car's paint. Give your car a thorough cleaning and
wax it with a paste or liquid wax, Weathers said. He cautions that sprays don't
clean as well.
Scrub the bottoms of doors, which can get coated with grime, Kropelnicki says.
He also urges car owners to clean the window channels, Also apply a silicone
spray, which repels dirt and lubricates the surfaces so the windows will
operate smoothly, he says.
Use a steam cleaner - you can rent one for $20 at Home Depot - or apply a
rug-cleaning spray to remove all the salt from the car's inside. Salt can break
down some fabrics and cause rips or tears when feet grind against them. And don't forget to take bags of salt and ice scrapers out of the trunk.
3. Replace wiper blades
Wiper blades get a workout during the winter months. Weathers advises changing
them each spring and fall. Amazon.com's best-selling Bosch wiper blades go for
$25 a pair.
4. Check tires
Some garages recommend a wheel alignment - which can cost around $80 - or a
tire rotation as part of your spring maintenance. Weathers doesn't think it's
necessary as long as you're following the car's regular maintenance schedule
and doing normal winter driving. Check your tire pressure. Cold weather can cause tires to be underinflated and
the onset of warm weather can overinflate them. Also, visually inspect your
tires to make sure they're wearing evenly and have plenty of tread for the
rainy spring weather ahead.
Driving on properly inflated tires can save you money. It can cost anywhere
from $50 to $250 to replace a blown tire, depending on the kind of tire you
need.
5. Check your fluids
Winter weather can deplete some fluids - especially windshield wiper fluid -
more quickly, so top them off yourself if they're too low. A service station
will also do the job for $25 or so. You should change your oil around every
5,000 miles regardless of season, Weathers says. Brake and transmission fluids
should be checked as well.
Source: http://www.foxnews.com
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