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9 Tips for your Spring Vehicle Checkup

posted on 3/18/2015 3:16:51 PM

The temperatures are inching upward, the days are getting longer and the first buds are starting to appear on the trees. Spring is on its way, and  soon it’s going to be time to do a little preventive maintenance on your ride. No need to dread it -- it’s all pretty routine stuff!

  1. Air filter - If you haven’t changed your air filter since last year (or can’t remember when you changed it at all), it might be time. It’s an easy and cheap fix, and it pays off in your vehicle’s performance and fuel economy.
  2. Cabin filter - Older vehicles often don’t have a cabin filter, but it can make a lot of difference in how pleasant your vehicle is to drive. Stale, smelly air? Change it!
  3. Wipers -- Get a good look at them. Are they showing signs of age like cracks, dry rot, chips or gouges? Are they doing an effective job of clearing water from your windshield, with no streaks or gaps? No? Then go ahead and have them changed -- it’s another easy and cheap fix that makes a big difference in safety.
  4. Ignition - If you have a car built with a distributor and spark plug wires, have the plug wires checked for cracks, damage and arcing. If not, have each coil pack checked for a snug, positive fit on the spark plug itself.
  5. Hoses - We’re not just talking about the main hoses for the radiator and transmission coolant lines here, although those are very important. Your vehicle relies on dozens of vacuum lines to control and regulate certain functions, some no bigger than a piece of spaghetti. A dry-rotted, disconnected, leaky or degraded vacuum line can cause problems in drivability and performance that can bedevil your vehicle. When having your radiator/transmission hoses and belts checked for condition, snug connections and tension, have a technician give the vacuum lines a once-over as well.
  6. Tires - This one, of course, is a biggie. Get a good look at your tires for irregularities in the tread...run your hand along the tread itself and feel for uneven “feathered’ patterns which could indicate front-end problems. Look for age/weather cracks, bulges or other flaws in the sidewall that could mean imminent tire failure. Check the treads for uneven wear at the inside or outside edges, a sure tipoff of front-end alignment that’s out of spec. Have your tires rotated (you should be doing rotations regularly anyway) and check tread depth. States require a minimum depth of 2/32” for safety...the easiest way to gauge this is to stick a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head down. If the top of the tread touches Abe’s head, you’re in good shape (some now recommend doing this with a nickel or quarter instead).
  7. Battery - Cold-weather cranking is hard on a battery and charging system, and batteries can be prone to corrosion during the winter as well. Have a tech test your battery and charging system, and have him also get a good look at the terminals, cables and clamps for signs of corrosion (fluffy greenish-white deposits) which can affect charging and starting performance.
  8. Radiator flush - It’s easy to forget about your cooling system, but it should have a pressure test, flush and refill with fresh coolant yearly. Even in the cleanest radiator and cooling systems, coolant can pick up rust and corrosion which can cause it to break down and lose its effectiveness.
  9. Headlights - Are they all working? What kind of shape are the clear headlight covers in? If they’re cloudy, a light buffing can help the effectiveness of your headlights tremendously.


So, there you have it -- nine tips that can make your spring and summer driving a lot more pleasant and give you peace of mind (and for not a whole lot of money).

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*Tire installment package required for online only. Goodyear Credit Card offers are subject to credit approval. Get up to $100 back by mail-in or online rebate on a qualifying purchase of a set of 4 select Goodyear tires with any form of payment method; plus get an added rebate of up to $100 more when the purchase is made on the Goodyear Credit Card from 4/1/2024 to 6/30/2024.

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Completed rebate forms must be postmarked or submitted online no later than 7/31/2024. Invoice must have eligible tire name and proof of purchase on Goodyear Credit Card (when applicable) clearly indicated. Online purchases must include copy of the online purchase invoice and the installation invoice from authorized Goodyear retailer. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for Visa Prepaid Card/Virtual Card delivery. Goodyear reserves the right to substitute a check of equal value in lieu of a Visa Prepaid Card at its discretion. For additional questions, or to check the status of your rebate, you may visit www.Goodyear.com/rebates or call the Goodyear Rebate Customer Service at 1-888-683-8724 Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET on Saturday. Fraudulent submissions will not be honored and may be prosecuted. Sponsor is not responsible for noncomplying rebate submissions or for lost, late, illegible, postage-due or undeliverable mail. Noncomplying rebate submissions will not be honored, acknowledged or returned. Void where taxed, restricted or prohibited by law. All decisions made by Goodyear (or its authorized representatives) relating to the validity of any submissions are final and binding. This promotion is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Retain copies of the materials you submit. Additional terms and conditions apply. Ask participating retailer for complete details and rebate form.

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