Undercarriage Road salt – Road salt can damage your vehicle’s
undercarriage by eating away or corroding the metal. A thorough cleaning at
a car wash should do the trick.
Check the tires – It’s crucial to check your tires after weather changes
because tire pressure changes about 1 pound per square inch for every 10
degrees Fahrenheit change in temperature.
Wiper blades – Windshield wipers take a beating during the winter weather
– wiping away dirt, debris and salt and gravel spray. Make sure the blades
are making full contact with the windshield and have not dried out.
Rotate tires – This should be done roughly every 5,000-10,000 miles and it
can extend the life of your tires significantly by reducing wear.
Change oil and filter – Some car makers suggest changing to a heavier oil to
help your vehicle’s engine perform more efficiently during warmer weather.
Change air filter – Your car’s air filter prevents dust and other debris from
getting into the engine’s running parts, meaning less efficient use of gas and
weaker engine performance.
Flush and fill cooling system. This is cheap insurance against engine failure.
Experts recommend flushing every 2 years for most vehicles.
Check radiator and gas caps – Tight fitting caps on the radiator and gas
tank are important. Radiator caps can corrode and deteriorate, so it’s a good
idea to replace yours as often as you flush the cooling system.
Check battery and plugs – Make sure battery posts and connections are
clean. Spark plugs fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles.
Clean the interior – It’s easy to use your car or truck as a storage area for all
kinds of things (including useless junk and garbage), especially in the cold
months when you don’t feel like cleaning your car in the freezing cold. Take
the time to de-clutter your car. It’s worth it.