Spring Car Maintenance

SPRING CAR MAINTENANCE

April is National Car Care month! After your vehicle has weathered the harsh Ohio temperatures and driven through corrosive salt on the roads, it’s time to prepare your car, truck or SUV for warmer days ahead.

1. SCHEDULE AN OIL CHANGE AND OIL FILTER CHANGE

Oil changes are so important for keeping your vehicle performing its best. As motor oil does its job by lubricating and cooling the engine, it picks up impurities along the way. As the oil ages, it becomes less effective. That’s why routinely changing your oil helps protect your engine and extend the life of your vehicle. Schedule your oil change at Loudon Motors Ford today! Our professional technicians will have you in and out and back on the road in no time.

2. HAVE YOUR CAR BATTERY TESTED AND REPLACED IF NEEDED

Low temperatures can wreak havoc on a car’s battery by slowing down chemical reactions that power your vehicle. Pair that with sudden increased temperatures, and it could spell disaster for an aging battery. Don’t wait until the day when your vehicle won’t start! The techs at Loudon Motors Ford perform FREE battery checks every day, and they can recommend a battery replacement, if necessary.

3. CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AND TREAD

Fluctuations in temperature can cause fluctuations in tire pressure. As a general rule, tires lose or gain 1 PSI for every 10 degrees in temperature. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended tire pressure.

While you’re down there, take a look at the tread on each tire. Without adequate tire tread to hug the road as you drive, you could be putting yourself, your passengers, and other drivers at risk. Rainy spring weather makes balding tires especially dangerous. Use the “penny test” to see if your tires need replaced this spring, and if they do, give us a call. Our low price guarantee on select tire brands can’t be beat!

4. REPLACE YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES AND REFILL WIPER FLUID

If you’ve spent months removing layers of ice and snow, your windshield wipers have probably seen better days. April showers bring more than May flowers – they bring bugs and, of course, rain. If you notice smearing, chattering, or physical damage, it’s time to replace your wipers. Don’t forget to top off your fluid, too! A vehicle in it’s best shape can easily clear away water, debris, and anything that comes its way.

5. CLEAN YOUR HEADLIGHTS AND REPLACE THE BULBS IF NEEDED

Lights looking a little dim at night? Consider giving them a good scrub. Just like our vehicles get dirty, so do headlights and taillights. Combine a mixture of baking soda and water and apply with a soft brush (like a toothbrush!). This will make your lights shine again. If needed, a quick bulb replacement is easy for the technicians at Loudon Motors Ford. Functional headlights and taillights are not only safest, they’re required by Ohio law.

No matter where you’re driving this spring – across town or across the country – Loudon Motors Ford has you covered for all of your spring car maintenance needs. It’s easy to book an appointment online for any of these services, and our friendly technicians are trained to work on all makes and models. It’s our pleasure to keep you and your family safe on the road! Book an appointment online or give us a call, and let our team handle all of your car care needs.