Regular maintenance and car care is an important part of vehicle ownership. Setting time aside for some car care can help keep your vehicle in good running order, identify any trouble areas in advance and even potentially reduce future expenses by taking care of any found issues before they become a bigger problem. Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition, and it applies to your car as well!
Check and replace wiper blades
You might be thinking this is a waste of time, after all, winter is over. Even if it doesn’t rain, having wiper blades that work is important to ensure you always have the best visibility. If something gets on your windshield you need to be able to clean it off for a clear view of the road.
Check lights
Have someone help you confirm that all your lights are in good working order. This includes front headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals.
Check your oil and get an oil change if needed
Pop the hood and check your oil using the dipstick to assess fill level and degree of wear. If needed, be sure to get an oil change. Newer cars will have an oil life monitoring system with a dashboard alert, but for an older vehicle, you may want to keep track of your months and mileage to follow the maker’s recommendation.
Check tire pressure, tread and sidewalls
Making sure your tires are in good shape is an important safety step. You’ll want to check the tire pressure and if they are low, fill them to the proper PSI. Examine tread depth with the penny test. If your tread is below Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires. Also, look for any abnormal wear on the tread and sidewalls.
Inspect battery
Pop the hood and do a visual examination of your car’s battery. Make sure there are no signs of corrosion (this can look like white or green foam) and that the connections are tight. Be careful not to touch any corrosion or to connect both terminals. If needed, clean off corrosion safely to make sure you’re getting the best performance out of your battery.
Take a peek under the hood
Since you’re here, take a visual inspection of everything under the hood. Do you see any low fluid levels, leaks or rips/tears in your belts or hoses? If you feel comfortable, you can always top off any fluids on your own. Or, if you see something that you think needs attention, you can take it to your service center for help.
Wash and wax
Now that you’ve checked some of the operational items on your car, it’s time to clean! Your paint job will thank you for a thorough wash and wax. If you feel a lot of impurities in the paint, you can also clay your car before waxing. As long as you’re in a cleaning mood, take time to vacuum your vehicle’s interior and clean your windows inside and out with glass cleaner. There’s definitely a feeling of pride that comes with having a good-looking ride.
Service questions?
If you notice something that needs attention during your spring car care celebration, contact any of our dealerships to learn more about their service departments and how they can help.
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Customer may not qualify for ALL Rebates shown. Some rebates are stackable and others can and cannot be combined. See Dealer For Complete Details.