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Maintaining your vehicle is crucial for ensuring its longevity, efficiency, and safety. Different seasons present unique challenges for car maintenance, so understanding what your vehicle needs as the year progresses can save you time, money, and headaches. Here’s a comprehensive guide to keeping your vehicle in top condition all year long.

Spring: Refresh and Revitalize

After a harsh winter, your vehicle needs a thorough check-up to prepare for spring conditions:

• Change Oil and Check Fluids: Start by checking and replacing the engine oil if necessary. Also, check other fluids like brake, transmission, power steering, and coolant levels.
• Inspect Tires: Winter can be tough on tires. Check for wear and ensure they are rotated and aligned. This is also a good time to switch from winter tires to all-season tires if applicable.
• Wash and Wax: Give your car a thorough wash to remove any salt and grime from winter roads that can lead to rust. Apply a fresh coat of wax to protect the paint.
• Check Brakes: Winter driving can be hard on brakes. Ensure that your brake pads, rotors, and fluid are in good condition.

Summer: Prepare for Heat

Heat can be as challenging as cold. Preparing your vehicle for high temperatures will help keep it running smoothly during the hottest months.

• Air Conditioning: Check your vehicle’s air conditioning system and refill refrigerant if necessary to keep cool on the road.
• Battery Check: High temperatures can drain battery life. Test your battery and replace it if it’s not holding a charge efficiently.
• Engine Performance: Replace any other engine filters, such as fuel and air filters, to ensure optimal performance.
• Coolant System: Make sure your coolant system is flushed and refilled as recommended. This is crucial as overheating is a common problem during summer.

Fall: Get Ready for the Cold

As temperatures start to drop, it’s important to prepare your vehicle for cooler weather.

• Heater and Defroster: Check the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system as proper heating and defrosting are key during cold months.
• Lights and Wipers: Ensure that all your lights are in working order and replace your wiper blades to combat heavy rain and eventual snow.
• Battery and Wiring: Cold weather can be harsh on batteries. Check the battery and charging system for optimum performance. Clean, tighten, and replace any corroded cables.
• Emergency Kit: Update or create an emergency kit for your vehicle. Include items like a blanket, ice scraper, snow brush, flashlight, and jumper cables.

Winter: Stay Safe and Secure

Winter requires the most vehicle preparation to deal with ice, snow, and salt.

• Antifreeze Levels: Ensure antifreeze levels are sufficient to avoid freezing.
• Tire Traction: Consider winter tires for improved traction. If already using winter tires, check their condition and air pressure.
• Exterior Maintenance: Keep locks lubricated to prevent freezing and ensure that your vehicle is equipped with winter-specific windshield washer fluid.
• Survival Kit: In addition to the standard emergency kit, add winter-specific items such as tire chains, a shovel, and sand or kitty litter for traction if stuck in snow.

Keep Your Car Maintained with Sherry Chrysler

Regular vehicle maintenance is essential, not just to extend the life of your car but also to ensure safety on the road. By following these seasonal maintenance tips, you can help prevent major repairs and enjoy a smoother, safer drive regardless of the weather. Remember, keeping up with scheduled service intervals and addressing small issues promptly can save you significant money and inconvenience in the long run. Visit Sherry Chrysler today for all your maintenance needs.