How to Tune Your Car for Spring

Spring is here! We know you’re eager to get outside and visit your favorite outdoor spots in Gastonia, but is your car as ready as you are to take on warmer weather? A spring tune-up can do wonders for your vehicle, preparing it for the long road trips and hot sunny days to come in Concord. The service center at Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet explains how to tune your car for spring, below!

1. Spring Clean Your Car with a Visit to the Car Wash

A great place to start is to spring clean your car. Winter brings a lot of dirt and grime to the roads in Rock Hill, SC, which can take a toll on your vehicle’s appearance. There’s no better place to start your spring tune-up than at your local car wash! We recommend opting for a pricer wash option to make sure any stuck-on dirt is thoroughly cleaned and removed. When you spring clean your car, we also recommend vacuuming the interior, swapping out your cabin air filter, and cleaning your car floor mats. Your cabin will feel just as fresh as the spring air!

2. Inspect Your Tire Pressure and Tread

Warm weather tends to cause tire pressure to increase, and too much tire pressure can cause excess tread wear in the center of your tires. Not to mention, maintaining proper pressure also helps your fuel economy. You’ll also want to inspect your overall treadwear. Routine tire rotation should prevent uneven wear, but you never know what winter roads are capable of. If your treadwear is below 2/32 of an inch, it’s time to consider replacing the tires.

3. Replenish Wiper Fluid and Install New Wiper Blades

Most drivers use their wiper fluid a lot more during the winter months when the wet roads spray more dirt on your windshield. Your wiper fluid reservoir could probably use a top-off come springtime, which should be followed by an inspection of your wiper blades. If they’re skipping across your windshield or are visibly cracked, it’s definitely time to install new blades. If your windshield is treated with a rain-repelling product, you will also want to consider replacing it.

4. Evaluate Your Battery

How is your car’s electrical system running? Your spring tune-up should include a battery inspection, which can be done for free at many local service shops. They can tell you if your battery is reading out a weak charge, which would tell you that you may need to replace it soon. The last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere in Charlotte with a dead car battery!

5. Schedule an Oil Change

Roll into spring and summer with your vehicle running at peak performance by getting an oil change as part of your spring tune-up. You should also check the oil quality while you’re at it. If you notice a strange odor or a mucky color of the oil, you will want to bring your car in for a further inspection, as there could be a more serious issue to address.

Signs Your Car Needs a Tune-Up

A spring tune-up is always recommended around March or April, but it’s helpful to know the signs your car needs a tune-up at other times of the year, too. These include:

• Your car is making strange noises
• Your car is stalling out
• Fuel economy has decreased
• Sluggish acceleration
• The steering wheel is shaking
• Rough idling
• Engine misfires
• Your alignment is off
• The brakes are grinding or squealing

Schedule a Spring Tune-Up at Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet!

Now that you know how to tune your car for springtime, schedule a service appointment at Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet! We can inspect your battery, change your oil, and anything else that you’d like to have done to prepare your vehicle for warm weather.