How to Spruce up Your Dallas Car for Spring

Now that spring is here in full force, with summer on the way, it’s time to get your car ready for the hotter weather. This involves more than just giving your car a good wash. It could mean touching up the paint, buffing out scratches, checking the tires for wear, inspecting your battery and looking into some body work. The impending heat can really do a number on your car, from the tires to the paint job.

Here are some tips for sprucing up your Dallas car this spring.

Body

Clean all the dirt, salt and grime from your car, paying special attention to the undercarriage. Look for rust damage and have it addressed sooner rather than later. It will only get worse as it eats through your car’s body. Use a garden hose on high pressure to wash away as much grime as you possibly can. If you take it to a car wash instead, check to see that they don’t use recycled water, which can leave streaks.

Tires

Pressure changes happen at one pound per square inch for every 10-degree Fahrenheit shift there is in temperature. Rubber contracts with cooler weather and expands in warmer weather. This can do a number on your tires. Go in for a tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Check the tire pressure regularly, every few times you hit the gas station.

Fluids

• Clean off your windshield wiper blades, and then fill up your fluid reservoir.
• Change the oil every 3,000 miles or every three months. Check the manufacturer’s manual, as some cars need heavier oil in summer to protect the engine. There is also a special oil you can buy if you have a high-mileage car.
• Change the air filter, as this can improve engine performance by up to 10 percent.
• Flush and fill your engine cooling system, which will help prevent engine failure.

Check Radiator and Gas Caps

Check your radiator and gas caps regularly. Replace the radiator cap when flushing the cooling system. Make sure the cap is tight, as that pressure keeps the engine cool; conversely, a loose cap will release the pressure. When you seal your gas cap, you are saving on gas by lessening the evaporation.

Battery and Spark Plugs

Check that your car’s battery and spark plugs are all in good working order. Check for corrosion in the battery’s posts, platform and electrodes. You can remove loose corrosion from the cables and nodes with a cotton swab dipped in vinegar.

Clean the Car

Clean the trunk and cabin, throwing out all junk and unnecessary items. That’s because excess weight wastes gas and can throw your car off balance. Vacuum the inside with a small shop vac. Check your emergency supplies, making sure you have a jack and lug wrench, blanket, first aid kit, water, and non-perishable snacks. Wash and wax the outside. Some dish soap and a garden hose is really all you need!

Contact Hance’s Uptown Collision Center

If you need body work to spruce up your car for spring, contact us today. We are open Monday through Friday for your convenience.