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Car care tips as spring approaches

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SYLACAUGA, Ala. – As temperatures rise, flowers bloom, and days get longer, many engage in “spring cleaning.” However, it is easy to forget about vehicle maintenance during the spring. SylacaugaNews.com has talked with mechanics around town and is outlining basic car care tips ahead of the upcoming season change.

With upcoming “April showers,” checking windshield wipers is a must. Make sure the wipers blades are up-to-standard and do not affect visibility when driving. A good signal for the need of new wipers is if they smear, skip, or squeak when in use. In addition to checking windshield wiper blades, be sure to check window washing fluids. Spring is notoriously known for its high pollen counts. Driving with a windshield covered in pollen can affect visibility and ultimately driver safety.

Secondly, rising temperatures can result in changes in tire pressure. Higher temperatures cause the tire pressure to increase. In the event of tire pressure exceeding manufacturer guidelines, mileage per gallon of gas and ease of driving may decrease. While having tire pressure checked, ask a consultant if your tires need to be rotated. Rotating tires allows the tires to wear evenly and avoid early replacements.

When having windshield blades and tire pressure examined, have an alignment and suspension check performed, too. Driving on potholes and rough roads or icy roads and bridges has the potential to mis-align and offset suspension in cars.

Familiarize yourself with specifics for your vehicle so your car runs on proper fluid levels. Most manufactures recommend changing oil approximately every 3,000 miles or every three months. Also check brake, steering, and transmission fluids.

Lastly, keep your car clean! Cold winter weather does not usually motivate anyone to go outside and clean the exterior. Debris often builds up on car exteriors, and not cleaning vehicles every few weeks allows the debris to potentially turn into rust. Also, while cleaning the exterior, be sure to clean out the interior and throw away and spare trash or papers.

Jack Wilbanks for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.


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