Essential Spring Car Repairs
Posted by admin at 1 February 2018, at 23 : 39 PM
Winter is in full swing and most of the country has seen rather a lot of snow and rain over the past few weeks. However, as we approach February we are reaching the final stretch of winter until spring begins in March. Spring is a time when we all love to get outside and start making the most of the outdoors again, rather than hibernating at home. Because of this, you will be using your car much more often.
After the harsh conditions of winter you may find that you car has taken somewhat of a beating. This is why it is so important for us to take some time and run those essential checks on the car before spring flows in. Make sure That you take time out of your day this weekend to have either go to a garage and get your repairs done, such as at Toyota auto repair, or lift up the bonnet yourself and have a peek inside. These are some of the checks you will want to be carrying out this week…
1. Coolant levels
Coolant isn’t the first thing you will be thinking about during the winter, because the car is already cold enough as it is. However, coolant and antifreeze both play a massive part in the health of your vehicle and also in making sure that your car isn’t susceptible to changing weather conditions. You can check your coolant and antifreeze levels by finding the radiator reservoir under the bonnet and making sure that the level is between the minimum and maximum lines. If not, top it up and be on your way.
2. Car jack and wheel nut key
Before you set off on any journeys in the car, you need to make sure that the jack and the locking wheel nut key are in your vehicle. This might seem pretty obvious. It you need to be sure that if you do have a puncture whilst out and about, that you can change your tyre and get back on the road safely. If you don’t have the jack you won’t be able to lift the car, and you cannot take off the wheel without your key. Ideally you will have a compartment in the boot which you will be able to store this stuff inside to keep it safe.
3. Check your dipstick for oil
The single most important liquid which flows through your car other than fuel is oil. Oil is the substance which lubricates the parts of your car and allow them to move smoothly. It also stops them from rusting and cleans the parts so they stay in good condition over the years. In order to check that you have enough oil in your vehicle, you need to locate the dipstick which is under the bonnet and will show you what level the oil is at currently. If you do need to top the oil up, make sure you consult your car handbook to make sure you get the right type.
4. Refill your screenwash
Screenwash Is something you probably haven’t thought about too much over the winter period because it has constantly been either snowing or raining, however when the spring starts you will need to make sure it is filled up. You can fill up your screenwash level easily at the front of the car and it will make things much easier for you if you drive through mud or the windscreen becomes dry and dusty. Make sure that you do not just use water as a screenwash, because if you leave water in your car during the winter it can freeze and damage the car. Instead, use a mix of water and screenwash together to fill the reservoir.
5. Check your tyre pressure
it is crucial before our start planning on family days out into the country that our check your tyre pressure and make sure even your spare is at the right pressure. Ideally you should be checking your tyre pressure every single month, but if not you can go and get them checked now before the seasons change. Your car manual will tell you the correct pressure levels you need for the front and rear tyres, and you will be able to go to a garage to fill them up at anytime. Alternatively you could buy a pressure gauge and measure and fill the tyres up at home. It will be much more convenient for you in the future than having to go out to get it all done.
6. Check your tyre tread
Once you’ve checked the tyre pressure, you need to have a look at the state of your tyre tread. Your tyre tread is one of the most important things to check because it will decide your stability on the road. Our tyres are the only part of the car which touches the ground as we move, therefore it is crucial that there is enough tread to grip the road and stay in control. You can check with your local authority what the limit for tread is on your vehicle, but generally it is 1.6mm. Sometimes your tyre will have a line that indicates the minimum tread, so if you see your tyres reach this line it is time to replace them.
7. Check for tyre cracking
The winter is a rough season for our cars. As the nights freeze over and the days are warmer, our tyres can become damaged due to the rapid change in temperature. When it is cold outside your tyres will begin to freeze and expand, them during the day when the sun comes out and you are moving they can crack. They may also dry out in the sunlight which can also cause cracking and building around the tread. This is a huge issue for the stability of your vehicle which is why you need to check this at all times to make sure your tyres are in tip top condition.