5 Tips to a Healthy Car This Spring

Here is what’s on the Pep Boys list:

Check the battery. Make sure you vehicle’s battery has a full charge, and have your battery connections checked for signs of corrosion. A dirty battery can lead to problems with your vehicles ignition system, and could stop your engine from kicking over.

Rotate your tires. Have your tires look at, rotated and inflated, Pep Boys says. Any excessive wear and tear can lead to accidents, so this one is non-negotiable. If you want a safe vehicle, have your tires checked out.

Clean your filters. You may not realize it, but cars “breathe” in their own way, too. A dirty filter and old oil can clog up that breathing process, and can really crimp engine performance. In addition to clean filters and oil, make sure to inspect your car’s in-cabin air filter. Springtime pollen can adversely impact occupants of your car if the air filter isn’t doing its job, but a clean filter means a clean air-conditioning system.

Watch for dull blades. Pep Boys advises changing your wiper blades every six months. Streaking or skipping blades are a safety issue, and springtime is an ideal time to make a switch. Blades aren’t all that expensive (about $25 for a good, reliable set) and they can mean all the difference in avoiding serious accidents.

Feed the fluids. Take a good look at your windshield washer coolant and brake fluids and make sure they’re regularly refilled. Pep Boys advises having the coolant system flushed and restocked with new coolant. If you do this task yourself, refill the coolant system with a 50% mix of both new coolant and water.

Most auto garages will be happy to check all five points as part of a regular oil change and/or tune-up. In most cases, that shouldn’t cost you more than $100 – money well spent in keeping your vehicle in top condition this spring.

Want a car that will last a long time and require little maintenance? Check out our list of 2012’s most dependable cars.