Despite lack of winter weather, cars still need maintenance

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

It?s spring ? time to escape the winter doldrums and get moving down the road.

But is your car on the same road?

Gary Crawford, owner of Mt. Pleasant Tire and Service Inc., and a 40-year mechanic, said that some important maintenance items should be handled to make sure your car is ready for spring and summer travel.

?This year, it is kind of different because of the lack of snow and cold during the winter,? he acknowledged.

Still, whatever kind of winter, Crawford said winter weather should have no bearing on getting the vehicle ready for those spring and summer jaunts.

He said that a minor item ? a good car wash ? is one of the most important things you can do for your car. That?s because snow, ice, salt and sand are hard on vehicles and has a tendency to settle in the most remote nooks and crannies of the car, eventually causing rust.

?Preferably, you want to go to a car wash that has jets that clean underneath the car,? he said, adding that he tries to watch his pickup once every couple of weeks in the winter, exactly for that reason.

Working his way up the car, Crawford said that rotation of tires and checking of tire pressure is important. ?Rotation is suggested every 5,000 miles and if you would put on new tires and never rotate them, you would lose 40 percent of the life expectancy of the tire. You also want to keep tires properly inflated. Some people mistakenly think over-inflation will lead to better mileage, but it doesn?t,? he said.

Winter brings potholes, along with snow and ice. Consequently, checking the alignment and suspension are keys to smooth driving in the spring.

?An alignment check is fairly reasonable,? Crawford remarked, ?and the suspension also should be checked. A car out of alignment can cut your tire life by 50 percent.?

Don?t forget the brakes because in winter months, drivers tend to use their brakes more, he said. ?Replacing pads is fairly inexpensive and if your pads are worn down, it can ruin the rotors.?

Oil changes and fluids are recommended every 3,000-5,000 miles, he said, and it is a good idea to get the oil changed and fluid checked when winter turns to spring. ?One of the most neglected fluids is transmission fluid. You should have your transmission fluid flushed every 40,000 to 50,000 miles because it is important. New transmissions can cost between $2,500 and $4,500,? he warns.

With hot weather approaching, it is also important to check the fluid in the radiator. Crawford recommends it be done every four to five years or 100,000 miles.

Then there is the battery producing the juice that makes the car come to life. Contrary to popular belief, Crawford said summer heat is harder on a battery than the winter cold. ?Heat really hurts a battery. That?s why you see a lot of batteries in a protective case to shield them from engine heat.?

While the hood is up, take a look at the spark plugs. Spark plugs, he said, should be changed about every 100,000 miles if the car is driven between 12,000 and 15,000 miles a year.

?Spring and summer is the best time to check and change windshield wipers,? Crawford concluded. ?You never really think about them until you need them. If the wipers aren?t good, it presents a safety issue.?

Follow these steps and there?s a good chance you and your car will be on the same road during those spring and summer outings.