We’re all familiar with the new car smell, but how do we hold on to that new car look and feel? Your vehicle, including your tires and wheels, need regular care too to keep them looking and performing at their very best.
Preventative maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs and big fixes that could arise if regular maintenance was neglected. Keeping your vehicle cared for on a regular basis not only ensures that it is safe to drive, but it also helps your vehicle maintain value. In addition, staying on top of vehicle and tire maintenance can boost your fuel economy, and keep your vehicle and all its parts running at their full potential.
We put together a car care checklist, so you know what to keep up on when it comes to seasonal care and preventative maintenance and so you can get the most out of your vehicle.
Still have your winter tires on? They need to be swapped out. Your winter tires are designed for colder conditions, not hot summer pavements. Continuing to use them in spring and summer months will cause them to quickly wear down as the weather gets warmer.
Let’s face it, there’s a lot on your mind. A regular oil change is something that can easily be forgotten. Check your miles and see if you’re due. Putting too many miles between oil changes is hard on your engine and risks overheating and permanent damage as well. At the same time as an oil change, it’s also a good idea to check the fluids and filters under the hood. Select Wonderland Tire locations offer oil changes—click here to find one near you.
How do you know when you need a tire alignment? If you experience vibration in your steering wheel, pulling to one side, or your tires wearing down quickly and unevenly, these are signs you may be due for a tire alignment. Getting your tires aligned can fix these issues as well as restore your vehicle’s fuel economy. As the new season for road trips begins, there’s no time like the present to cross this important task off your checklist.
Another source of vibration in your steering wheel or floor of your vehicle could be that it’s due for tire balancing and/or rotation. Don’t ignore the signs! Neglect of these services also leads to quick, uneven wear of your tires and poor fuel economy. How often should you balance and rotate your tires? It is recommended that these services be done every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to get the most out of your tires. You can schedule tire services with us here!
As always, make sure that your tires are inflated to the correct pressures. Don’t eyeball it! For every vehicle, there are specific tire inflation pressure ranges. It’s the perfect time to check these, because it’s very possible that they lost pressure over the colder months and are due for a little more air. Maintaining optimum tire pressure is important for keeping traction on wet roads and in rainy conditions. It also leads to better mileage and a longer life for your tires.
You should always regularly inspect your tires and their tread depth. It’s unsafe to be driving on old, bald tires, especially during spring and summer weather changes. Chances are, you can’t get another season out of them.
Tread depth can be measured with a tread depth gauge, or by simply using a penny. Place the penny, with the head turned upside down, between the tread ribs of your tire. If Lincoln’s head is partially covered by the tread ribs, you’re still within the allowable tread depth threshold of 2/32 inch. If you can see Abraham Lincoln’s whole head, the tread depth is no longer deep enough and your tires should be replaced. Repeat this process on each tire. At the same time, it is a good idea to inspect the side walls of your tires for damage and wear.
All good on these essentials? Now how do they look? Chances are your rims could use a little love. Here are some tips on how to clean your wheels.
You can give your tires special care at the same time you wash your vehicle. There are a variety of cleaning products for your wheels, and they vary based on type of wheel. Check labels to make sure your cleaning agent is suited for your wheels. Improper cleaning solutions will cause them to crack or turn your tires brown. Choose a brush that has long enough bristles to get into all the little spaces and remove that stubborn dirt, oil, and brake dust. It is important that your brush be soft enough that it doesn’t scratch your rims.
Once they are clean, you can protect your tires and rims to retain that polished look. For your rims, use a high quality wax or protectant suited for your specific type of wheel. Regularly using these protectants prevents brake dust and other unwanted particles from adhering to your rims. It will keep them looking shiny and clean for longer. Your tires will require a different type of protectant, also depending on your tire.
With all these steps crossed off your checklist, your vehicle is ready to take on spring and summer!
Wonderland Tire remains open as an essential business to service your vehicles. Hours may vary by location to best meet customer demand—please call in advance to verify hours. Wonderland Tire is taking additional, in-store precautions above and beyond adopting the preventative protocols and recommendations of the leading health agencies. These precautions include regular disinfecting and cleanings of all frequently touched objects and surfaces inside the store; spacing waiting area seating; limiting the number of people in the waiting area to under 10 individuals; maintaining social distancing; and entering and handling vehicles with latex gloves, car seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, etc.
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