Preparing Your Vehicle For Spring

Well, Spring has sprung...at least according to the calendar anyway!!! But, even though Mother Nature hasn't quite caught up yet doesn't mean you can't get a jump on some preparations.
Keeping up on the maintenance of your vehicle is a must if you want to get the most out of it. There are a few simple steps that you can take to improve the longevity of your ride. Changing of the Season is the perfect time to put some extra love into your investment. When you live in Northern Canada each season brings it's own challenges so when you prepare ahead it makes the transition a little easier.

1) Clean the interior. Remove all the junk that has accumulated over the winter months. You know...the stray mittens, food wrappers, and boulder sized gravel that you tracked in on your boots. Wow, that looks better already!!! Now vacuum up the small stuff (don't forget the seats) and give everything a good wipe to get rid of the thick layer of dust.  

2) Wash the exterior. You will want to get all of the dirt and salt off the exterior of your vehicle. Salt is what leads to rust, so be sure to do a thorough clean. Once it's clean, a good coat of wax is a great idea to help the Spring rain bead away and add further protection.

Note: If you aren't up for this there are plenty of options for car washes that will gladly do the dirty work for you.

3) Schedule an appointment with your mechanic. Winter temperatures are tough on your engine, you will want to have a mechanic go over everything to make sure it is in good condition. Make sure these things are done while you're there:
- Change oil
- Change other fluids
- Check belts, brakes and hoses
- Check suspension

4) Changeover tires. Once the temperature is consistently above 7 degrees it is safe to take off your winter tires. If you use studded tires they have to be removed before April 30th in B.C. If you don't use winter tires then you should give your tires a good inspection and make sure that the tread looks good and that there is no damage. Make sure to check your tire pressure too.

5) Inspect your wiper blades. Ice and snow can damage your wiper blades pretty quickly. With the rain in the spring you will want to make sure your wipers are in tip top shape. Check for cracked or dry rubber on the part of the blade that has contact with the windshield.

6) Speaking of the windshield. Check for chips and cracks and have any repaired, or have your windshield replaced if necessary.

7) Check Your A/C. You will want to be sure your air conditioning is working properly before the summer months hit ( believe me, I'm speaking from experience.) Test your A/C to make sure it is working before you go to the mechanic, that way if there is a problem you get get it looked at while you're there.

If you take the time to do these few things it will help your vehicle running smoother and looking better. Take the time to do maintenance every few months to get the most from your vehicle and it will be worth your while.
Now just sit back and wait for all this snow to melt!!!

-Muriel Rolufs