Summer Air Conditioning Care

Did you know that for your air conditioning to perform at  it’s best during the dog days of summer it needs to be set on MAX Air.  To maintain comfortable cabin temperatures, your a/c system requires a larger percentage of air to be recirculated.

In-car air quality is important to the health of the driver and passengers.  Studies have shown that a typical car has 283 different types of bacteria present.  The inside of a car can be disinfected periodically to help keep this under control.  It will also help prevent the mold from accumulating on the evaporator core (along with the odor).  On some cars, there is a filter for the ac system called a cabin air filter.  It will need to be replaced periodically to ensure the system stays clean and works well.

And last but not least have your vehicle’s air conditioning system checked annually by a professional to ensure any small problems can be taken care of before they become a major problem.

Spring Car Care Tips

Brake Check – After the cold winter be sure to check your brakes.  One of the warning signs is brake noise, including excessive grinding, squealing, screeching or chatter.

Interior clean-upVacuum, vacuum, vacuum!  Be sure to throw away any unwanted garbage that has hibernated under your seats over the winter.  And now is the time to store your winter car mats in the garage.

Apply a protectant – Any vinyl surface including the dashboard, seats and the steering wheel are susceptible to cracking, sun damage and fading – be sure to apply a protectant at the beginning of the season and touch-up regularly.

Check all fluids to make sure they’re topped up – In the winter months, fluids are easily depleted as your engine works harder in the colder weather.  Make sure to double-check all the car’s fluids regularly.

Wash your car – Just like a good maintenance program prolongs the life and performance of your car, all vehicles regardless of the finish (clear coat, acrylic, enamel, etc.) require regular washing throughout the year.  To preserve you car’s shine and protect the surface, wax your vehicle once it has dried completely.

 

Winter Maintenance Tips

Battery:  Cold weather can severely affect the cranking power of a battery.  Our technicians can test the battery’s strength and recommend a replacement if it’s too weak.  Along with the battery, the cables, wires and terminals around the battery should be inspected for corrosion, fraying and cracks.

Coolant/Antifreeze:  The coolant/antifreeze in your vehicle should provide freeze-free protection for the most extreme temperatures.  Our technicians can perform a simple test that quickly determines the threshold of protection.  If the protection level isn’t deemed sufficient, you may consider having the old coolant replaced with new antifreeze that’s suitable for colder temperatures.

Belts and hoses:  Old, frayed and cracked belts and hoses can be more susceptible to failure in cold temperatures.  Have them inspected and replaced, if necessary.

Tires:  Because cold air is denser than warm air, you may lose air pressure in your vehicle’s tires during the winter.  For the best performance, safety and fuel economy, have the tire pressure checked throughout the winter, even if your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system.

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