Spring Tune Up

It's been a long winter, but spring is finally coming, and that means fun and sunshine. Spring is a good opportunity to give your vehicle a checkup to ensure everything is running smoothly. There are a number of things you can do on your own, and if any further maintenance is required, take your vehicle down to Boundary Ford in Lloydminster, AB, and our expert Service Staff will be happy to take care of all your vehicle needs.

Changing your oil and oil filter is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle running trouble-free. It is recommended to changed them every 3 months or 5,000 kilometers, so if the last time your oil was changed was before winter, take your vehicle in for one. Neglecting to change the oil can result in poor engine performance, higher fuel consumption, and even severe engine damage.

While you check your oil, take a look at the fluids, belts, and hoses as well. Take a look at the levels of your power steering, brake, and transmission fluids, as well as your windshield washer fluid and coolant, and top up as needed. It is also important to check the belts and hoses for damage. Look for hardening, softening, leaking, cracks, blistering, and other visual damage, and check the belts for looseness, cracks, frays, or glazing.

It is important to take good care of your tires, because they are the only point of contact between you and the road. Check the pressure of each tire, including the spare, and maintain the optimal pressure recommended in the owner's manual. Check the tread for wear and tear, and rotate them every 10,000 kilometers to reduce wear. In addition, if you changed your tires for the winter, change them back to summer tires to keep your winter tires fresh.

In cities where sand and salt are used on icy roads, you can end up with cracks and chips on your windshield. Over time, this can lead to a decrease in personal safety, so it is important to get your windshield replaced as soon as possible. Also check the wiper blades for any tears and cracks, and replace if necessary. Neglecting to do so won't do you any good in the unrelenting spring rain.