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Information » Car Care » Spring Cleaning In anticipation of warmer weather, millions of Americans get in physical shape. NAPA (National Automotive Parts Association) recommends that consumers do the same for their vehicles by following a simple checklist to ensure safe and headache-free summer road trips and driving. The checklist is relatively inexpensive and can be completed by an ASE-certified (Automotive Service Excellence) automotive technician in a short time. Wiper Blade Check. Your wipers worked hard all winter getting rid of dirt and debris on your windshield. Replacing them now means that you can drive with confidence during April showers. Cleanliness Check. Check the radiator and the cowl (area on your hood just ahead of the windshield) for accumulated debris from winter. Remove any leaves or trash so that air intakes are clean. Have your cooling system analyzed, including a check of your antifreeze. Fresh antifreeze is vivid in color (usually bright green or blue), whereas dirty antifreeze looks dull. If the thermostat in your cooling system isn’t operating properly, your engine can run too hot or cold, causing either your gas mileage to decrease or, worse, your engine to overheat. Belts and Hoses Check. In the winter, your belts and hoses take a lot of abuse from snow, salt and sand. They should be checked each spring to ensure they’ll endure the summer’s temperatures. Brake Check. After cold weather driving, a brake check is a smart safety precaution. One of the most obvious warning signs is brake noise, including excessive grinding, squealing, screeching or chatter. If you have driven frequently through standing water, an inspection will ensure your brakes are free of corrosion and operating properly. Air Conditioning Check. Spring is the perfect time to have your air conditioning (A/C) evaluated. In addition to diagnosing and correcting any problems before the hot weather sets in, it’s usually less expensive and easier to get an appointment before the summer rush. If you own an older vehicle, you may want to consider an A/C retrofit to update your system with the new environmentally friendly refrigerant R-134a. It replaces the harmful refrigerant R-12, commonly known as Freon, and costs about $6 per pound, one-fifth the price of R-12. (Automobiles made prior to 1992 and many made from 1992 to 1994 have systems that use R-12.) NAPA also recommends the following tips for finding an honest repair shop: Look for the blue-and-white ASE seal to make sure the shop employs ASE-certified automotive technicians. Make sure the shop offers a national warranty on both parts and labor. |
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