15145 NE 90th Street RedmondLuke's Car Tips & Auto Maintenance Advice
Luke's posts regular blogs to offer you great information and advice about your car maintenance. Check back often for new posts. Search for a specific topic!
Luke Shaff
Wash Your Car:
If your vehicle is covered in road salt and grime, you should prioritize this job for more than just aesthetic reasons. Leaving that road salt/de-icing on the exterior for too long can deplete the color and corrode the metal.
Replace Tattered Wiper Blades:
Thawing, freezing, and scraping over icy windshields can cause wiper blades to warp, bend, and crack. Rainy weather typically accompanies spring, we recommend changing out windshield wipers now before getting caught in the rain.
Examine Mirrors and Lights
For many drivers, the first time they realize they have a light out is when a police officer pulls them over to tell them. Spring is a perfect time to examine mirrors for cracks. We also recommend having a family member help you with checking all the lights on the car: activate headlights, taillights, reverse lights, brake lights, parking lights, fog lights, and turn signals.
Top Off Washer Fluid
Roads in winter are salty and sandy, and washer fluid doubles as a de-icer. That means going through lots of the stuff in cold months, and doing 70mph on the highway with compromised visibility is not the time to discover you're out. If you run low, just pour some in the reservoir until full.
Check the Battery
A car's electrical system, including the starter and alternator, work hard in the winter, and it can take a toll. Be especially wary if headlights seem dimmer or windows roll down slowly — the car's battery may be going.
Check Tire Treads
Between salt, sand, potholes, and the sheer cold of winter, tires take a beating. Take a penny and insert Lincoln's head into the grooves of the tire treads. If the top of Lincoln's head can still be seen, it's time to replace the tire.
Change Oil
A change of oil every time the seasons change can extend a car's life by thousands of miles, especially with an older engine.
Refill Transmission Fluid
Winter bleeds transmission fluid, and transmission repairs are among the costliest to make. A full 90% of transmission failures can be traced to fluid neglect, so check levels — remember transmission fluid is red — with a clean dipstick, like with oil. If it's at the low measurement line, keep in mind it probably needs only a half-liter.
Check Brake Fluid
One of the first things to do when the weather breaks is make sure brake fluid is up to the appropriate levels. If the car has a clear reservoir, just look; if the reservoir is metal, remove the cover for a quick peek to see it's at least half full. Keep in mind that that low brake fluid could be a sign that new brakes are needed.
Check the Air Conditioner
One element rarely overused in the winter is the air conditioner. That doesn't mean its power and function hasn't diminished, though. Check to make sure tepid air isn't just dribbling out. If the AC is weak, it could mean a loose drive belt, a clogged condenser, or perhaps even a leak — but might be as simple as a lack of refrigerant. Blown AC can be a major, costly repair. But if it's worth the price, do it before the summer swelter arrives. And while you’re checking the AC, note whether it’s emitting any funky odors.
Check Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts provide a smooth ride and a strong suspension. Identify them under the car and make sure neither is leaking oil or are dented or otherwise damaged. Give the car a few good bounces and make sure the shocks absorb evenly.
Whether you’ll be driving across the country or across town this spring, bring your car by Luke's Automotive. Our technicians will examine your tires, fluid levels, belts, lights, wipers, battery, and more, and help you check these things off your car maintenance checklist. Summer, spring, winter, or fall, it’s our job to help make sure your car gets the right maintenance, at the right time, at the right price!
