Spring is in the Air
Don’t say “spring is in the air” too close to your car or you might just startle it. To us that might mean a time when nature does a complete reset, but to our cars that could be some shocking news. Our cars know it’s spring when they become habitable on the inside again, and all nice and shiny on the outside. But let’s not forget some of the other things we can do for our car in the spring time. Take the time to give your car a reset, or let the pros here at Top Gear do it for you. Either way, here is our spring checklist for your car:
•Swap those tires again. If you did the right thing in the fall and installed winter tires, it’s now time to take them off. As soon as outdoor temperatures rise above 10 degrees, our winter tires lose their advantages and in fact become a disadvantage for us. They will also wear down in their treads a lot faster in the warmer weather, so don’t hesitate and get your summer or all-season tires back on soon.
•Check your fluid levels. The severity of cold we get here in Canada can play a huge toll on our vehicles fluids. Be sure to give a thorough check now that the weather has warmed and you don’t mind popping that hood as you did when it was freezing cold outside. Your car will love you for it!
•Get that salt off. Salt is terrible for your car, so bad in fact that some places opt for other ice thawing road solutions. Here in London, Ontario we are still using salt and we can clearly see what it does to our roads, just imagine what it’s doing to your car. The sooner you wash it all of the better, and don’t forget the hard to reach areas like the wheel wells, undercarriage and all around the door jams.
•Change your oil. It’s a good time to change that hard worked oil from the winter and put in something nice and fresh for your car. The winter makes the oil work extra hard, so it’s done it’s job, now you do yours.
•Change your wiper blades. The winters are dry and cold, and rubber can only last so long while in these kinds of conditions, especially if you’re the type that uses their wipers as snow removers every morning. It’s very likely your wipers are leaving streaks, and since we all know we get lots of rain in April, it’s best to get some new wipers too. It’s not worth risking your visibility in the rain by skimping out on wiper costs.
•This one may seem obvious, but to many it can slip by, springs! Check your springs. Since the extreme cold combined with salt on the roads plays a huge toll on rubbers and fluids, take a look under those wheel wells and see what your springs are saying. While you’re in there, it’s a good time to check all of your bushings, bearings, brakes and brake lines as well. You never know what the harsh winter did up in those wheel wells.
•Last but not least, rust. Deal with any new surface rust that has popped up. It’s very common for rust to start after the winter. If you’ve been paying attention, salt and cars don’t mix and the salt is the leading cause in rust. It may seem like just a tiny spot for now, but if left untreated it will spread like a cancer and turn your car into something you may have seen in the movie Mad Max, so unless you’re going for the “Rat Rod” look, it’s best to get that rust dealt with in a timely manner.
Come into Top Gear this week. We’re your local London and surrounding area import experts. We carry all major OEM and aftermarket parts for all makes and models and have experienced professionals doing all the dirty work for you at very reasonable prices. Whether you need a hand, or are simply seeking some advice, stop by and come meet the team at Top Gear, your local London mechanics.