Taking care of your vehicle pays off in the long run, helping the engine run more smoothly and giving your ride a longer life. Keeping up with these winter, spring, summer, and fall car care steps is a great way to ensure that your car or SUV continues to perform reliably for years to come.
Get your vehicle ready to fight snow, ice, and sleet this winter. No matter what type of vehicle you’re driving, these maintenance and service tips will help you care for your vehicle when it’s cold outside. • When temperatures drop, your battery could be affected. Instead of finding yourself stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery, make sure it’s in top working order • Winters in Iowa can mean snow and ice, which is why you should change your vehicle’s summer tires for winter ones. These will help give you better traction in snowy and slippery conditions • While you should regularly check your tire pressure all year round, it’s especially important when the temperatures drop, since freezing temperatures can cause your tires to deflate • Make sure you have at least a half tank of gas at any given moment to prevent your gas lines from freezing
April showers bring May flowers — and they also mean it’s time to complete some spring vehicle maintenance. Make sure you follow these tips as you head into the wettest season of the year. • Rainy weather makes spring a prime season to change your wipers, along with the fact that they probably took a beating in the frigid temperatures of winter • There’s no better time to give your vehicle a spring cleaning, both inside and out. Get rid of any debris inside and make sure you vacuum up road salt and winter grime on the floors. You’ll also want to make sure all the salt from winter has been cleaned off the exterior to protect your vehicle’s paint job • If you got a crack in your windshield this winter from other vehicles kicking up salt and road debris, now is the time to fix it before warmer weather causes the crack to spread .
Summer in Iowa means you need to get your vehicle ready for heat, sunshine, and other hot-weather hazards. These are some of the summer maintenance tips you should keep in mind. • Get your air-conditioning system checked out at the beginning of the summer so you don’t have to worry about driving around in a hot car • Opt for a dashboard sunshade to help keep your vehicle cooler in the hot months — and to protect your dashboard and interior surfaces from fading and cracking
Falling leaves and crisp air are sure signs that fall is on the way. Make sure your vehicle is ready for colder weather with these vehicle service tips. • From the low fall sun messing with your visibility to the fact that temperatures are dropping, now is the time to make sure that windshield wipers are brand new. Change them out to keep your visibility as good as it can be • The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, which means you need to make sure your vehicle’s lights are in working order. Replace any burnt-out bulbs and keep checking them throughout the colder months
While each season comes with its own specific vehicle maintenance needs, there are also service items you need to keep up with all year long. • Your vehicle should receive regular oil changes, typically every 5,000 miles or so. Check your owner’s manual for the suggested routine maintenance schedule • Get the tires rotated every six months or so to prevent your tire treads from uneven wear • As your vehicle runs, it uses up the fluids that are vital to its operation. Make sure your vehicle always has the right amount of fluid for its needs, including coolant and windshield-wiper fluid • Your tires are what keep you safe out on the road, so check your tire pressure regularly. If they are low on air, fill them up to your vehicle’s recommended range; if the pressure is high, deflate them until they’re at the appropriate level
No matter the season, come see us here at Motor Inn of Carroll for all your vehicle maintenance needs. Our service department will give your car the care it needs to operate safely and efficiently all year round.
