Spring is in the air and it is time to get your car ready for those fun spring and summertime drives!

Max would like to offer a few thoughts on a few things that may make things a little safer on the road for you!

In some cases, you’ll be able to perform these procedures yourself. Others are best done by a mechanic as part of a tune-up. Some will help your vehicle look better. Most will help it perform more efficiently and get better gas mileage.

• Get rid of road salt on the undercarriage.
  • Road salt can damage your vehicle by eating away at its undercarriage.
• Check the tires.
  • Tire pressure changes depending on the outside temperature, so it’s important to check tire pressure after weather changes. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended pressure for your tire, and never exceed that.
  • Higher pressure generally results in improved steering response and fuel economy, but a stiffer ride, and it wears out the tread in the center.
  • Underinflation generally provides a smoother ride, but it causes tires to wear out at the sides. It also wastes gas because tires need more power to push the vehicle.
• Check wiper blades.
  • Your wipers work hard all winter removing dirt and debris, including salt spray.
  • Since the life expectancy of a wiper blade is six months to a year, check that the blades are making full contact with the windshield and have not dried out.
• Refill the wiper fluid reservoir.
• Rotate the tires.
  • This is a relatively simple car care procedure that will extend the tread life of your tires, and should be done roughly every 5,000-10,000 miles.
  • A good rule is to rotate tires after every oil change.
• Change the oil and oil filter.
• Change the air filter.
  • The air filter prevents dust and other impurities from getting into the combustion chambers of the cylinders, resulting in wasted gas and weaker engine performance.
• Flush and fill your cooling system.
• Check the radiator and gas caps.
  • A snug radiator cap helps raise the cooling system pressure, giving added protection against boil-overs. Radiator caps don’t last forever, so replace yours whenever you flush the cooling system.
• Check the battery and spark plugs.
  • Make sure battery posts and connections are secure and free of corrosion.
  • Dirty spark plugs cause misfiring, which wastes fuel.
  • If you’re planning a long trip, consider replacing the battery and spark plugs if they are more than two years old.
• Clean the cabin.
• Finally, you’re ready to wash and wax.