What to do to maintain your car in the spring

We know it, we tell you it every year. And we're not the only ones to tell you about spring maintenance in the middle of April. But we have a good excuse: according to some recent studies, more than 37% of Canadians don't do their seasonal maintenance. The good news is that this percentage is dropping significantly among Ford owners.

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Still, we're not taking any chances. We know you're a meticulous driver, a customer of ours and a loyal one at that. We still think that a little reminder never hurts, just in case you forgot a few details when changing your winter tires.

Because the customers who have come to Lincoln Heights Ford have received advice from our experts, and most of them already know that their vehicle is ready for the warmer season. But if you've forgotten to do this maintenance, it's still far from too late.

So here are a few things you should not forget to check:

Checking the windshield wipers

Raise your hand if you'd be willing to travel in a vehicle with impaired exterior visibility: no one, of course. So, in a nutshell, here's why having perfectly good wiper blades is extremely important.

Realizing the need to replace the wiper blades is very simple because the symptoms are clear: if, for example, while driving in the rain, the windshield is not perfectly free of water residue or has small spots or lines of water, it means that the blades must be replaced as soon as possible, paying attention to both those of the windshield and the rear window.

Replacing winter tires

Some people are tempted to keep their winter tires for a long time, sometimes for the whole summer season, thinking that they will buy new ones in the fall anyway. Bad idea...

If winter tires are used in the summer, their wear increases and braking distances can sometimes double on wet roads. I don't know about you, but in an emergency, double the distance could cost you more than new tires!

Checking the car battery

In general, the life of a car battery is about 3 to 5 years: however, this period can vary depending on the use of the car. For example: if you regularly drive low mileage in the city, so as not to allow the alternator to fully recharge the battery, or if you rarely use the car. In addition, even the hot season is the "enemy" of car batteries, as heat and high ambient temperatures, such as over 30°C in the summer, shorten the life cycle of the battery and deteriorate it.

At least twice a year, it is advisable to check the electrolyte level and its density. The terminals should be checked periodically. If the car is not used for long periods of time, a full recharge cycle should be performed every two to three weeks. Remember that your electric car also has a 12-volt battery to monitor!

Checking the engine oil and oil filter

Checking the level of lubricant in the engine - which should always be "three-quarters" between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick - is of the utmost importance, regardless of the season. It is also essential to choose the most appropriate oil: in this respect, the car's use and maintenance booklet is the best reference, as it contains the specifications of the lubricant to be used.

Checking the air conditioning system

Among the vehicle maintenance interventions in the spring, the check of the perfect functioning of the onboard air conditioning system (A/C) is important because it affects the well-being of the driver and passengers, and therefore the safety of the driving. Like any other vehicle component, the air conditioning system must be able to function in the best conditions, especially in spring and summer, to ensure a cool and clean interior.

Obviously, the list could go on, but we think you get the idea. When in doubt, consult our specialists at Lincoln Heights Ford. They're here to help!


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