The Importance of a Spring Tune-Up
Freezing temperatures, icy roads, salt exposure: winter can be a tough season for your car. As the seasons change, your car needs a little TLC to recover from the extra wear and tear—and to prepare for the rainy weather, slick roads, and temperature fluctuations of spring.
In this article, the service team at Pine Belt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram provides a spring tune-up checklist to help your vehicle stay in great shape on Columbia roads, improve its safety and efficiency, and avoid costly repairs. A thorough tune-up now can help you avoid break-downs in Collins, improve fuel efficiency, and extend your car’s lifetime. Follow this automotive tune-up checklist to prepare your car for the warmer months ahead, then contact us with any further questions.
1. Check and Replace Your Battery
The cold temperatures of winter can be rough on your car battery. If your battery was struggling to turn over on winter mornings, now is a great time to test it and ensure it’ll last you the rest of the year.
If your battery is over three years old, or if you experience any of the following warning signs, think about replacing it—or at least getting it tested, either here or at an auto parts store.
2. Inspect and Rotate Your Tires
Winter weather can also be brutal on your tires. From icy roads and freezing temperatures to potholes, slush, and salt, your tires could be in much worse shape than they were last fall. Be sure to check your tire pressure and tread depth, and get your tires rotated near Collins.
3. Change Your Oil & Check Fluid Levels
Regular oil changes are vital for your engine’s ongoing health, and spring is a great time to get your oil changed near Sumrall. While you’re in the shop, we’ll also check other important fluids like coolant, brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluid.
4. Replace Worn Wipers & Inspect Lights
Snow, sleet, and other forms of winter weather can cause a lot of wear on your windshield wiper blades—and you’ll need them for the spring rains. If your wipers are squeaking, leaving smudges, or streaking your windshield, it’s time to get them replaced. Luckily, replacing your wiper blades is one of the easiest and most affordable car maintenance tasks!
While checking your wiper blades, you’ll also want to check your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. Replace any bulbs that have burnt out to stay safe and avoid a ticket.
5. Examine Brakes and Suspension
Winter roads filled with ice, potholes, and salt can also cause excessive wear on your car’s undercarriage, so a post-winter checkup of your brakes and suspension is also essential. Watch out for squeaking or grinding noises, vibrations when braking, or a soft brake pedal—that can mean your brakes need service or a replacement. Suspension issues can cause a rough ride, uneven tire wear, or even your car pulling to one side. If you notice any of these, bring them to our shop for an inspection as soon as you can.
6. Test Your A/C
You haven’t used it all winter, and depending on where you live, you might not have to turn it on for another few months—which means now is the right time to ensure your A/C still works. If you turn it on and notice weak airflow, a strange smell, or an unusual noise, bring it in and ask us to check your refrigerant levels and compressor.
Does My Car Need a Spring Tune-Up? Find Out at Pine Belt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Winter is hard on a car. When you see the trees budding and robins nesting, it’s time to make sure your car made it through the cold season in one piece. Of course, you’re always welcome to visit us in Hattiesburg to have us give your car a once-over! Give us a call at 601-299-5136 today.