As the spring season is getting closer, homeowners usually do spring cleaning inside and around the house to eliminate residues left by the winter season. But Mark Salem, host of the automotive talk show Under the Hood that airs on KTAR 92.3 FM and 620 AM in Phoenix noticed that some people doest do spring cleaning for their vehicles. He said: "After a winter of cold wear and tear, it's incredibly important to have your car ready for the other extreme - a summer of scorching wear and tear. First and foremost, leaving the salt and road dirt all over and under your car is a bad idea. Hit the local self-serve car wash to make the car less vulnerable to rust - and more valuable when you sell it."
"Before your attention turns to beaches and barbecues, make sure to follow these simple steps. They'll ensure that you get to and from those summertime happenings, comfortably and safely. Spending your day waiting for a tow truck when you're dressed in beach wear may not be what you had in mind." he added.
In connection with this, Mark Salem has provided vehicle owners with effective spring cleaning tips as well as spring driving preparation tips. According to Salem, the first thing to do is to swap out or rotate tires and check tire pressure. Because it is the end of the winter season, Salem said drivers should replace their winter tires with all-season tires to cope up with the environmental condition. He also added: "make sure all tires, including the spare, are properly inflated and balanced. Appropriate tire pressure will increase gas mileage and decrease tread wear ". Checking brakes is one significant thing to do to prepare for the spring season. Mark Salem said: "after a winter of heavy braking to avoid ice, be sure to check your brakes, if you hear excessive grinding, squealing, screeching or chatter, get the brakes checked."
Changing your vehicle's fluids including oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid is also important. The winter season might have caused these fluids to become dull and useless, so you should replace those fluids with new ones.
For the vehicle's ventilation, you should check and have your air conditioning to undergo pressure-test. Check the vent temperature of the cooling system. Salem said the required temperature should be at least 55 degrees or less.
It is also recommended to inspect your vehicle's belts, hoses, and wires like for possible wear outs or leaks. Finally, to protect your car from the harsh and warm sunlight, Mark Salem recommends applying protectants, like vinyl on your car's seats to avoid fading and cracking.
