Once winter is over and the warmer weather begins to present itself, it is time to make sure that your vehicle is ready for what the warmer weather means – family vacations, camping trips, road trips, etc. The one thing that all of these things have in common is that you need a vehicle that is in good shape to get you from point A to point B – and back again – safely and efficiently. The cold temperatures and poor conditions of winter can be incredibly hard on your vehicle, so spring is the ideal time to perform a full inspection to identify any potential problems. Here are a few things that you should do.

1. Change Your Oil and Filter

Has it been awhile since you have changed your vehicle's oil? If so, now may be a good time to change it, along with the oil filter. When you neglect your engine oil, you will find that the engine performs poorly and that you use more gas. Eventually, it will result in damage to the engine. If you are unsure how often the oil needs to be changed, consult your automobile's owner's manual.

2. Check All of Your Fluids

Since you will be changing one fluid, you might as well go ahead and check the rest of your fluids. This includes your transmission, brake, steering, and windshield washer fluids. Don't forget to also check the coolant. If you notice that any of the fluids are running a bit low, go ahead and top them off. Check your owner's manual for recommendations on when certain fluids need to be replaced or flushed and do this, if necessary. Brake, coolant, and power steering systems remain closed; therefore, if you have low fluid levels, then you could have a leak somewhere.

3. Repair Your Windshield

Over the course of the winter, especially in areas where rock and sand are used on icy roads, you may experience a chip or crack in your windshield. If you have not had these chips or cracks repaired yet, now is the time to get it done. Many car owners right these off as no big deal; however, the longer these are left untreated, the bigger of a risk they become. When your windshield has sustained damage, even the tiniest of damage, it decreases the stability of the roof and reduces your personal safety if you find yourself involved in an accident. Therefore, the sooner you can get a damaged windshield fixed the better.

4. Check Your Hoses and Belts

Cold temperatures have a tendency to harden, crack, or otherwise damage rubber. Therefore, once warmer temperatures arrive you should take the time to inspect all hoses and belts on your vehicle. Check to see if your hoses are softer or harder than usual, fraying, cracking, leaking, blistering, etc. Your belts should be inspected for frays, cracks, looseness, or glazing. Any damaged hoses or belts should be replaced as soon as possible.

For more information, contact a company like Powers Transmission Centers.