Winter will soon be a memory - or so we hope. Winter weather can be tough on your vehicle and while Spring may not seem to be starting, warmer weather is soon to come. Here are some Spring Car Care Tips to keep in mind for the near future...
- Some people delay or don't bother removing their winter tires. While
winter tires offer impressive traction on snow and ice, they often
compromise stopping performance on dry and wet roads, don't handle as
well as all-season tires, and wear out quickly. If you have your winter
tires on dedicated wheels, be sure to wash the tires and wheels
thoroughly to remove winter salt spray that can cause wheel corrosion
and store them in a cool, dry place.
- Roads filled with pot holes can make winter driving tough on your
car's suspension. Whether you had winter or all-season tires on your
car, check the evenness of the wear across the width of the tread. If
you observe uneven tire wear, you might need a wheel alignment. Ignore
it and your tires will wear out quickly and need to be replaced sooner
than you thought.
- With spring time here and summer around the corner, you'll want a
tire that can resist hydroplaning in heavy rain and slide on slick, wet
roads. If
you have just about a 1/8-inch tread depth in any one tire groove, then
start shopping for new tires.
- Do I have to buy a complete set of new tires? We suggest buying four
new ones at a time for the best balance of handling and dry and wet
grip. Then rotate your tires routinely to promote even wear. But if you
are like many drivers who don't rotate tires regularly and need only two
new ones, then be sure to have the new tires placed on the rear of the
car for secure handling.
- Check your tire's inflation pressure routinely. Under-inflated tires can cause heat build-up; you'll want to keep your tires properly inflated to combat the impending summer heat. Consult the vehicle's tire information placard (typically found in the driver's door jamb) and/or owner's manual for your tires' proper inflation pressure.
Reblogged from Consumer Reports
