Ride with confidence: April is National Car Care Month
Great news, OKC! The winter season is finally ending as we welcome the new spring season. Thoughts of planning a getaway are starting to bloom faster than flower beds and plants at the Botanical Gardens.
Before you plan your spring road trip to explore Oklahoma, you will need to make sure your car is ready for the action ahead. In honor of National Car Care Month, The Better Life HQ is here to help prolong the health, performance and safety of your vehicle.
Grab your shop gloves and towels! Let us be your guide with these car maintenance tips.
Interior –
Nothing defines caring for your car more than tidying the interior. Give your vehicle a thorough cleaning – vacuum and wipe away dust from your car dash, center shift console, trunk and door panels. Remove any fingerprints or stains from any carpets or windows. Start your engine for a brief period and check for onboarding service lights. Open your glove compartment to verify registration/proof of insurance paperwork is intact and up to date. Replace interior lighting and cabin filters if necessary and install a new set of air fresheners to complete the job.
Exterior –
The winter cold and precipitation greatly affects the paint and finish of your vehicle. Washing your car will ensure all the dirt and grime is off the body surface. Dry your vehicle completely and proceed with wax. Waxing your car protects the paint from harsh sun and rain, which could last up to summer. Check the condition of wiper blades to prevent marks and scratching to windshields and rear glass. If lighting is a concern, now is the time to replace any defective brake lights, signal, license plate, fog or headlight bulbs.
Engine –
The engine is the heart of every vehicle. Perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s engine bay by checking the fluids of major components (radiator coolant, engine oil, brake, power steering, windshield washer, etc.). Refill and top off fluids, if needed (Quick tip: Pay close attention to your brake fluid reservoir. If brake fluid appears low, do not fill the reservoir – check your brake pads closely for wear and thickness). Give the engine bay a quick detail and wipe off any dust and debris. If due, be sure to change the oil and air filter of your vehicle before your first road trip.
Suspension –
There are many parts to your vehicle’s suspension system. For starters, check the tread pattern of your tires and look for any rock particles or nails that could be stuck or embedded. If all signs are positive, proceed to check the pressure of every tire (including spare tire) and inflate/deflate tires to the recommended levels (Another quick tip: Tire pressure sustains and increases during the warm and hot seasons; tire pressure drops during the cold season).
General –
With the hood of your vehicle open, start your engine. While the car is warming up, do a general walkthrough and check for noises and leaks. Drive a short distance and pay attention to abnormal sounds to vehicle mounts. Worn, damaged or broken mounts can create clunky sounds as a result of the engine shifting. Signs your tires are out of balance include excessive vibrations, difficulty steering and poor gas mileage. You’ll know your car is out of alignment if it pulls to one side, the steering wheel won’t stay straight or the wear on your tires is uneven. Take notes and proceed with plans for any immediate, high-priority repairs.
For peace of mind, local shops and mobile detailers/mechanics are available for consultation and repairs. We would love to hear about your road adventures – your safety is extremely important to us! We will revisit this conversation to help get you prepared this fall for another National Car Care Month in October.
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