Your Complete Spring Maintenance Checklist
When the snow melts, that means it’s time to hit the road for those family road trips, soccer games, picnics, and more. You want to ensure you’re ready to dive head-first into these activities without worrying about your vehicle. That’s why spring is a great time to do some routine maintenance and inspect your vehicle.
Book Your Winter Tire Changeover
Be sure to book in your winter tire changeover as soon as possible (given that the weather is consistently above 7 degrees Celsius). As this is a busy time of the year, the earlier you can get into your local Integra Tire, the better. If you leave your winter tires on too long into spring, they will wear out. If you’re thinking of using your winter tires year round, think again. Winter tires are not built for the spring and summer; using winter tires year-round will not only be more expensive but will also compromise your safety. We discuss this in further detail in our recent guide “Why You Shouldn’t Use Winter Tires Year Round.” See this guide for more details.
Your Integra Tire dealer will visually inspect your tires for wear; however if you don’t use your vehicle in the winter, check the tires closely for irregularities such as cracks and uneven wear and check the tread depth. If your tread depth is not at least 4/32″, you need to replace them.
Check Your Fluids
Checking your vehicle fluids regularly is an important part of ensuring the longevity of your vehicle. This includes your power steering, brake, transmission fluid, as well as coolant. If any fluids are below the levels specified in your vehicle’s manual, have them topped up. It’s also important to replace your fluids as per your maintenance schedule/service intervals.
As the snow melts and creates large puddles on the road, you’ll be going through windshield wiper fluid much faster. It’s a great idea to top up this fluid and ensure you have extra jugs of wiper fluid on standby.
Inspect Your Windshield and Wipers
Winter and early spring can be especially rough on your wipers as you use them much more often and they can be susceptible to damage as they freeze and thaw. Inspect your blades for tears and cracks and replace them if needed.
Cracks in your windshield should be filled. Over the winter many Canadian cities will lay down salt, sand, and rocks that can get kicked up by vehicles in front of you. Inspect your windshield closely for any small cracks; these small cracks can be fixed if caught early enough, but will grow larger over time and may not be repairable.
Check Your Battery
As temperatures drop in the winter, it can put strain on your battery. If your vehicle does not turn over as fast as usual, it is a good idea to have your battery tested at your local Integra Tire. If all seems normal, it’s still a good idea to inspect your battery cables for cracks and other irregularities, as well as any corrosion on the terminals. If your battery is over 5 years old, you are overdue for a new one.
Serpentine/Drive Belt
Take a quick look at your accessory drive belt for any obvious signs of wear and tear; this can include cracks, bulges, and discoloration. Turn on your vehicle and lift the hood to do an audible check for any issues with your serpentine belt or accessories and listen for any sounds that seem out of the ordinary. The most obvious noises are higher pitches squealing noises, or lower pitched grinding noises coming from the components, especially your water pump, power steering pumps, and a/c compressor; however, any irregular noise should be investigated further by a mechanic.
Book A Spring Inspection
Vehicle inspections are a great opportunity to have a certified technician overview the components of your vehicle from top to bottom. Your local Integra Tire location offers a spring inspection that will cover all the critical points of your vehicle, so you don’t have to worry about your vehicle being ready to hit the road. Contact your local Integra Tire today for more information!