Spring means so many things!
The end of winter, Easter bunnies and baskets, March Madness, and spring break vacations, to name a few. One of the healthiest and most restorative rituals is spring cleaning. As you get your home ready to turn the corner into the balmy spring season, don’t forget about your car’s spring maintenance needs! Harsh winter weather can be ferocious on your vehicle, and the expert technicians at Liberty Auto Center in Rockville and Gaithersburg, Maryland are ready to make sure that your vehicle is in tip top shape after the wear and tear of cold sleet, snow, slush, and salt.
Salt and rust
Salt is used all winter to melt ice and snow on roads to allow travel and prevent icy accidents. That wet salt naturally accumulates on cars, especially the undercarriage where the metal becomes a breeding ground for the reddish brown rust we all hate to see. When the winter weather is finally over, your car needs a professional and thorough cleaning to eliminate the build up.
Alignment and suspension (more about salt!)
Salt also degrades road surfaces, causing potholes that seem to dot every street and corner. Drive and jolt over enough of them and your car’s alignment and suspension can be damaged.If you notice your car pulling to one side or the steering wheel vibrating, let Liberty Auto Center conduct an alignment check.
Oils and fluids
A post-winter oil change is advised, especially if you’re approaching the 5,000 mile mark. Another area for scrutiny is the car’s transmission. Although it is sometimes an afterthought to drivers, transmission problems are a costly repair and best avoided. Having the transmission fluid flushed is a smart preventative measure. Appropriate fluid levels are crucial to keeping your car running and in good shape. This includes windshield washing fluids as well as brake and cooling system fluids.
Tire rotation and pressure
Your car tires take a beating on the road, especially after a long cold winter where they have encountered slick surfaces, potholes, precipitation, and possible wear from chains. The front tires often take the brunt of the work, so having the tires rotated every 5,000 miles can help balance out the wear and make them last longer. Tire pressure is also key. Keeping your tires at the proper pressure can help them last longer, help your car handle better, and save you money on fuel.
Inspect brakes
Brakes may be the most important safety feature of your car. They get a workout during slick or icy winter weather, so spring is the ideal time for a maintenance check to make sure that the pads aren’t overly worn and the brake fluid levels are sufficiently full. Nothing, perhaps, is more important than having brakes that function properly. The technicians at Liberty Auto Centers are experts in brake maintenance and repair, and can ensure that there are no safety issues and that you are safe on the road.
With two Maryland locations in Rockville and Gaithersburg, Liberty Auto Center is here to help your vehicle bid farewell to winter and say hello to spring. Let the certified auto service technicians diagnose and repair any winter damage to your car, or simply get a maintenance check to give you full confidence when you hit the road.