Easy steps to get your car ready for spring
Warmer months are ahead, and that means more time on the road with your Ford. While most car owners typically get their car ready for the cold winters, there are important steps to get your car ready for spring. The colder months can take a toll on our vehicles (the good news is, Ford, is built to handle Canadian winters) and now is an excellent time to identify any issues that may have crept up. Use this simple checklist to ensure a safe and smooth ride all summer.
Spring clean your car
Do a thorough clean inside and out to remove built-up salt and sand from the road. Remove your floor mats and wash off the gunk, vacuum, and wipe down the interior. Give the exterior of your car a detailed wash, running the power spray carefully underneath. Open the hood and carefully wipe down the engine, battery, and other accessible components. Top up windshield washer fluid and check for any damaged lines and hoses that you can inform your Ford technician about.
Switch out your winter tires to summer tires
Winter tires are designed to perform in extreme cold and grip ice and snow. Summer tires have a finer thread that improves the grip on warm and dry pavement, as well as wet and rainy conditions. If winter tires are left on to drive through warm road surfaces, they wear quicker and unevenly. Additionally, their tread pattern and rubber compound are not designed to grip wet road conditions.
Schedule an oil change
Cold weather is tough on our engines. Anything below -20 degrees celsius can change the viscosity of oil, depending on the type you use. If you haven’t already, be sure to schedule an oil change, which helps remove excess dirt and sludge built up in your engine. With routine oil changes, your engine will run more efficiently and prevent a costly breakdown.
Get a routine maintenance service
Along with an oil change, ask your Ford Calgary dealer auto shop to complete a routine maintenance check. Ford technicians have specific training to work on Ford vehicles, ensuring that they receive proper care recommended by manufacturers. Your technician will take a look at:
- Fluid levels and top up/flush out if needed
- Steering and suspension components
- Worn brake pads and rotors
- The status of your car’s battery
- Tire pressure and tread depth
- Headlights, brake light, turn signals, parking lights
- Tire rotation, wheel balance, and alignment
All of the above will not only ensure your safety on the road but will help lengthen the life of your vehicle, improve fuel economy, and prevent costly repairs.