Spring Maintenance Tips Straight From Our Service Experts

In just over a week, spring will officially have sprung! 

In reality, we know that warmer weather won’t find us here on PEI for at least a few more weeks, but that doesn’t make us any less excited for everything to come. Blue skies and sunny days are right around the corner. The dangers of winter weather will soon be long forgotten, but that doesn’t mean you should be any less vigilant when it comes to your vehicle’s safety and maintenance. 

People tend to let their guard down this time of year, but failing to maintain your vehicle could mean disaster if you haven’t prepared accordingly. As temperatures rise, you’re more likely to encounter pedestrians, cyclists, and even wildlife during your daily driving. This also means our roads are unthawing from cold weather and heavy frost, resulting in upheavals and potholes that could require months of roadwork and construction. Another factor to consider is how well-equipped your vehicle is for heavy rain and hydroplaning, rather than sliding through snow, slush, and ice. 

Keeping all of this in mind, we’ve put together a handy guide to make sure you’re road-ready when spring officially hits the Island. Following these tips and tricks will help prolong your vehicle’s lifespan, save you money, and keep you (and others) safe on the road this spring! 

Spring Cleaning

First thing’s first - just like your home, your vehicle is likely ready for a good spring cleaning. After months of salt and snow accumulation, you’ll want to give both the interior and exterior some extra TLC this time of year. It’s time to wash your floor mats, clear the clutter, and give your ride a good wash to have it looking like new again! 

While regular cleaning and washes are simply good practice, they also help you protect the undercarriage of your vehicle from rust and other damage, as well as help to maintain your pristine paint job! 

Renew Your View

If you’re familiar with our Winter Warm-Up Guide, you’ll remember how we emphasized the importance of installing winter wipers on your vehicle. Now that the temperatures are rising, the same holds true for replacing your all-season wipers. 

Winter wipers perform best in cold temperatures against frozen precipitation. Continuing to use them as the weather warms up will cause them to degrade prematurely, and they won’t be as effective against rain as your all-season wipers. 

Now is also the best time to address any chips or cracks that have made an appearance on your windshield over the past few months. Damage to your windshield can decrease overall effectiveness of airbags, seatbelts, and roof stability if left unattended, so be sure to nip those pesky cracks in the bud before they spread! 

Last but not least, if you’re struggling to see clearly after sundown, it might be time to inspect your headlights. The casing around your bulb will get hazy over time, so buffing and polishing the exterior or replacing the bulb (if necessary) will help you see what’s coming your way, even in the dark. 

It’s Time For Your Check Up

After a harsh winter, your vehicle is due for a regular check up. It’s time to take a look at your fluids - oil, transmission, brake, coolant, and wiper fluid, and your filters. Your fuel and engine air filters are especially important when it comes to keeping your car running smoothly, but you don’t want to leave out your cabin air filter either! It’s responsible for screening out pollen, dust, and other airborne debris, so a fresh cabin filter means fresh air for you and your passengers.

While you’re at it, be sure to check out your battery, belts and hoses, and brakes. These components work overtime all winter to keep your vehicle running safely and efficiently, which tends to take its toll over our long Island winters. 

This is also a great time to have a peek at the underside of your vehicle. As temperatures rise, the corrosion process becomes more active, so now is the ideal time to have your undercoating applied. 

Get your vehicle road-ready just in time for spring! Book your maintenance appointment with any of our Centennial locations to ensure premium service from our top-notch technicians.

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