Car Repair: Your Seasonal Check List

As seasons start changing and as we move from winter into spring and summer, we need to be prepared. This means more than just planning your vacation or stocking up on sunscreen lotion. Your car needs to be prepared for the changing seasons as well. Preparing your car for the weather ahead is an important aspect of car maintenance that can help you avoid costly car repair problems down the road.

Even if you are not a mechanic, there are a few things that you can be aware of and check off your to do list. For example, your air filter has to be changed twice a year, so why not make that a seasonal event and change it now? This is such an easy car repair that you can do it in five minutes without tools. For most vehicles it is simply a matter of unscrewing a wing nut and bolt, taking the lid off and replacing the air filter. Any auto parts store can supply you with the correct filter based on your car make, model and year. 

Another simple thing to check is your tires. In the cold winter months, you may have had studded tires on your car, and now you need to switch back to non studded tires. When you do the switch back, it's a good time to look at your tire tread and air pressure. These are easy things to check, and if you have doubts, you can go into any tire store and have them looked at for free. If your tire tread is poor or your air pressure is low, your car won't drive as well as it should. Before you take your car into the shop to find out why it's driving so poorly, take a look at your tires for the answer.

Another easy car repair is your windshield wipers. Winter weather conditions can be harsh on your wipers. Road salt, dirt, and freezing cold temperatures can work to break down the rubber on the wiper blades, and even if you don’t think about using the wipers in the summer time, you may be surprised by an unexpected summer rain shower, so don't overlook your wipers.

Winter driving conditions can also be hard on your brakes as you pick up road cinder or salt depending on what your area puts down on icy roads. Cinder can help you with traction but it can be hard on your brakes when they work their way into your brake cylinders or shoes. If your brakes are squealing, it may be time for new pads or shoes or it may be something caught in your brakes interfering with their ability to work properly. You can always have your brakes professionally checked when you have your tires checked.

These are all simple preventive steps you can take on your own to make sure you aren't facing any unexpected car repair bills or unwanted surprises. So be proactive and be prepared by making this a ritual with every season change.