Maintain a Healthy Car this Spring The snow has melted. Spring is here! While spring might bring April showers and May flowers, it also brings an opportunity to take your car in for an inspection. This will identify any minor fixes that need to be made before the minor problems become unavoidable, costly, and sometimes even dangerous.   It’s an optimal time to follow these car maintenance tips, as summer vacation is coming up before you know it – and with summer comes an increase in driving.   Reasons to Keep Your Car Properly Maintained   Safer Every day thousands of people are injured in traffic accidents due to faulty break systems, worn-out tire treads, and worn out drive belts. Why not take the proper precautions to avoid being a statistic? People don’t think accidents will happen to them until it’s too late – and then regret not having taken minimal time and money to prevent them.   After all, it’s your life we’re talking about!   Reliable You want to make sure that your vehicle is ready to go when you need it. Parts get old and wear out. Timely maintenance can help avoid any unnecessary downtime.   Efficient Your car will run more efficiently when it’s well-maintained and running properly. You will see improved gas mileage and less untimely “large” maintenance bills.   Spares You from Expensive Repairs “Down the Road” If your engine needs repair because it hasn’t been serviced properly, it could cost thousands of dollars more than you would have paid if you had regularly serviced your vehicle. Sometimes half the cost of such repairs could buy you a great vacation!   Commands a Higher Resale Value With the rapid growth in technology, information is at anyone’s fingertips with a Wi-Fi connection. This means buyers are savvier. These days, a buyer will likely want to see your maintenance records to show the car is in good repair. Can you provide them with one?   Better for the Environment Hybrid and electric cars are better for the environment, but even if your car strictly runs on gasoline, it doesn’t mean you can’t make a contribution. It isn’t “all or nothing.” Avoiding leaks and minimizing fume levels makes a positive contribution.   Less Roadside Assistance Needed The last thing you want is to be on the side of the highway calling for help. Scratch that. The last thing you want is to pay for a battery to be delivered to the middle of nowhere or call a tow truck – and pay the bill. Regular vehicle maintenance is a lot cheaper than these services. While this doesn’t mean you’ll never find yourself on the side of the road next to your car with flashing lights, regulate maintenance will significantly decrease the chances.   What Should You Include in Your Maintenance Plan? Here are some important car maintenance tips to get your car ready for spring. Pay attention to:  

• Fuel efficiency
• Detailing
• Regular oil changes
• Safety checks
• All season tires

  Fuel efficiency If your engine is burning more than it needs to and you’re burning a hole in your wallet, it’s time to get to the bottom of it.   One of the culprits could be tire pressure. If your tires are underinflated or misaligned, your engine has to work harder and, hence, burns more fuel. Just a few pounds of pressure can significantly affect your gas mileage.   Heavy items in your car adding weight also make your engine work harder. So, if you’re toting around hockey equipment or other unneeded items, bring them into the house and give your engine a break!   Detailing When it comes to detailing, sweat the details. You want the best detailing products you can get your hands on. While giving your car the appearance of being sparkling new, it keeps your car protected from the elements. And there are plenty in Michigan!   Also consider a wax. Spring brings the birds back, which is great, but along with the birds come their droppings. Wax makes it easy to wipe off and prevent compounds in the dropping from damaging your car’s paint.   Regular oil changes Changing your oil and oil filter at the frequency recommended by your vehicle’s owner’s manual ensures the engine runs without a hitch! Oil changes result in better engine performance, less fuel consumption, and prevented engine damage.   Safety checks Make sure your windshield and all running lights are in good working order.   If your windshield is cracked or chipped, get it fixed immediately. A cracked windshield can decrease the effectiveness of airbags, seatbelts, roof stability, and your personal safety in an accident. A simple chip can turn into a large crack over time if not addressed.   Get your lights replaced if they’re not working. If cars behind you don’t know you want to stop or turn, problems are eminent.   All season tires Your winter tires served you well in snowy weather, but now it’s time to trade them for all season tires.   Maintain optimal tire pressure recommended in your owner’s manual. Check tire treads for uneven or irregular wear. Rotate your tires every 6,000 miles or so and replace them if worn out or damaged.   More car maintenance tips:

• Check your fluids
• Replace your wiper blades
• Lubricate your chassis parts
• Replace your filters regularly

  Calling All Cold Climate Cars! These items are especially relevant for vehicles in cold regions such as Michigan.  

• Check your belts and hoses
• Check your battery

  There’s an App for That If you want to get better at maintaining your car; or, if you’re on the market for a used car and want to check out a car’s maintenance history, check out the new technology that makes keeping up with your car much easier!  

• aCar
• AutoCare
• Car Maintenance Reminder
• Car Minder Plus
• Road Trip

  Read the Owner’s Manual No, this is not a joke! This guide will tell you how to optimize performance and functioning. The instructions will explain what needs maintenance and signs to look for so you know when to take your car in to be serviced in order to mitigate further damage.   Plan and Save Follow these car maintenance tips to extend the life of your car. Your car and wallet will thank you! Happy spring from Thelen Auto Group!                 Links:   http://www.carcare.org/car-care-resource/car-care-tips/   https://www.carbibles.com/car-maintenance-tips/   https://www.becarcareaware.ca/spring-car-maintenance-tips/