Spring Tune-Ups: How Regular Maintenance Saves You Money
Canadian winters can take a toll on your vehicle. Snow, ice and cold weather all contribute to premature wear and tear but when spring and summer come, you want to be able to enjoy your drive without worrying about your car repair checklist. While it’s true that the cost of repairing a vehicle can be expensive, the best way to avoid costly repairs is to commit to a regular maintenance schedule. When spring hits and you’re ready for a fresh start, here are some important things to consider.
How Do Spring Tune-Ups Save Money?
By making sure that everything is in tip top shape before you hit the road, you can avoid significant costs down the line. Ensuring that the five vital fluids in your car are properly filled and flushed can be the most important thing you ever do for you vehicle. As you change your winter tires over to summer or all season tires, your mechanic should also be rotating your tires to reduce unnecessary tread wear and lengthen their life. By topping up coolants, you ensure that the car is prepared for the warmer temperatures that summer months bring with them.
Following a winter’s worth of potholes, curbs and snowbanks, making sure that your wheels are aligned properly can save you significant repair costs and potentially protect you from voided warranties. Just like spring cleaning, it’s a good time of year to get everything in working order.
Which Fluids Do I Change?
There are five fluids that should be changed when you go through your Spring Tune-Up routine. Brake system fluid, transmission fluid, coolant system fluid, suspension differential fluid and power steering fluid should all be checked and filled as necessary. For example, while some manufacturers don’t require a transmission fluid change until 160,000 or even 240,00 kilometers the cost of a new transmission far outweighs the cost of on-going maintenance. As such, a quick transmission fluid change at 80,000 kilometers can make a huge impact on the life of your vehicle.
Each of these fluids plays a crucial role in making sure that your vehicle is running smoothly and safely. They ensure that each part of is operating in peak condition and failure to ensure that these are sufficiently filled can result in more serious costs down the road.
Benefits of Oil Changes
There are a number of benefits to regular oil changes. They reduce friction and prevent overheating, clean out impurities that have built up in and around the engine and make sure that your car is performing at it’s best. This helps increase fuel efficiency and reduces the potential need for major engine repairs. When oil changes are not completed at regular intervals, it can cause engine failure as parts can grind together and even fuse or jam without proper lubrication. Some people believe that since they may not travel long distances regularly, they may not need regular oil changes but stop-and-go commutes can actually be harder on your engine than long drives.
Benefits of A Brake Fluid Flush
Every driver understands the importance of good brakes and yet many fail to recognize the importance of their brake fluid. Over time, impurities and pollutants can seep into brake fluid. This means that simply having your brake fluid topped up is not enough. This is why when you bring your vehicle to your local TIRECRAFT dealer for brake service, we ensure that your brake fluid is never overlooked. By completing a brake fluid flush, you’re ensuring that when you need your vehicle to stop, it will.
Spring cleaning is a time honoured tradition and your car can benefit as much as your home can. By taking the time and making a small investment now, the savings in the future can be incredible. Start your summer off right with a spring tune-up!
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