According to the calendar, it is officially Spring, and while it may not quite seem like it yet here in the Capital Region, the seasons are changing and hopefully, the weather will soon follow. While I’m sure we will all be grateful to put the cold temperatures and ice and snow covered roads behind us for warmer, greener days, it is important to remember that a change in the season is something that we need to prepare for.
As we all begin our annual Spring cleaning we have to remember that our cars require just as much attention as our homes and closets. Winter can take a toll on your vehicle but Spring brings a whole new set of road conditions. Check out some spring cleaning tips that will help you get your car ready to tackle the new season and look out for more to come in a future blog.
1.) Check Tire Tread - The rough terrain brought on by Winter will inevitably affect your tires. The extra work that was required to get you through those snow-covered roads will cause the tread to become worn down. However, with April showers on the way, you want to make sure that the tread on your tires is deep enough to handle the rain accumulation. If the tread is too shallow then it will cause your vehicle to hydroplane so make sure to use the old penny trick and find out what you are working.
2.) Air Pressure - Along with ensuring that the tread of your tires is at a safe depth you also want to make sure that all four tires are properly inflated. As the temperature heats up the warmer weather will cause your tires to expand and the air pressure to increase. Therefore, you will want to periodically check to make sure that your tires are not inflated above the maximum level. Overinflated tires will cause uneven wear and put you at risk for a blowout if they are too far over the recommended level. So make sure that you check their status occasionally for smooth safe traveling all season long.
3.) Treat Windshields - Spring is generally the rainy season and so it is a good idea to make sure that your windshield and windshield wipers are ready to keep the rain at bay so that your visibility is never compromised. For the windshield, try treating it with a rain repellent. Doing so will cause any water that hits the windshield to bead and quickly roll off.
4.) Check Wiper Blade Status - Since your wiper blades were most likely put to good used over the last few months, you will want to make sure that they are still in good enough shape to handle clearing away the rain. Wiper blades to inevitably get worn down over time from normal use so be sure to give them a good once-over at the start of the season and replace them if necessary before those spring showers start raining down.
