Get Ready for Spring With These Car Care Tips

Spring is right around the corner and that means that it is time to take off the snow tires, give your car a fresh wash, and get ready for some serious fun in the sun! Whenever there is a serious shift in the weather, you need to think about how your car is equipped to handle that change. Everything from having the right oil to making sure that your tires are holding up well can make a world of difference in your car’s ability to perform. If you have any questions or want to make sure that your car can handle the transition into spring with ease, come into your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today!

Change Your Battery

Winter can be tough on your car’s battery, especially if it has been left out in the cold or hasn’t been run every day. The cold winter weather can create some serious stress on your battery’s ability to perform well, and can even cause battery acid leakage. You can easily get your battery checked by one of our expert auto service technicians who will diagnose any problems your vehicle may be experiencing.

Get Your Oil Changed

It is immensely important to get your oil and your oil filter changed at the exact times recommended by your car’s manufacturer. You can think of old oil like cholesterol in your arteries. Old oil becomes thick and viscous and can actually block up your engine and greatly decrease its ability to perform. Not only will your engine performance suffer from a lack of oil fresh oil, you will actually clog up your engine and greatly decrease gas mileage. A few simple oil changes can keep your car running smoothly for years and greatly cut back on future repairs and excessive costs at the pumps.

Check Your Tires

If you haven’t changed your tires in a while, you should check the treads of your tires to make sure that you will still have traction on the road. You can do this simple test at home with the help of a quarter. Put your quarter in your tire tread with George Washington’s head facing upside down, if you can see the top of his head above the tread, you need to get new tires. If you live in an area where snow tires are required to get through the winter weather, now is the time to think about switching those out. The deep grooves and soft rubber that these tires are made of provide excellent traction on snow and ice but can easily get chewed up by normal road conditions.

Brakes

Your brakes are crucial to your safety on the road. You should get your brake fluid changed every two years and your brakes should be inspected annually for any potential hazards. Your brake pads are often the first component to get worn down. If these worn down pads are left unchanged, they can actually do some serious damage to your calipers.

Shocks and Struts  

If you have noticed any wheel shaking or vibrations after hitting a bump in the road, chances are that your shocks and struts may need some attention. Other signs that your shocks or struts may need some help are if your car is easily bottoming out, if your car is overly bouncy, or if you experience serious body sway or rocking during high winds or while cornering.

Wheel Alignment

If your vehicle is pulling to one side, has uneven or rapid tire wear, or your steering wheel wants to sit crooked when you are driving straight, you need to get your wheel alignment checked. Our expert staff of auto service technicians will quickly check your alignment, diagnose any problems, get them fixed, and you on your way.

With spring almost here, let us help you get your car ready to enjoy all the sun and fun that comes along with the season. Come into your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today for a full car inspection or any repair you may need!