After a long winter of snow (and potholes cropping up with the daisies), it’s likely that your vehicle could use a little sprucing up for summer road trips. Your neighborhood Jiffy Lube® is here to help you learn more about springing into roadtrip season with a list of tips on vehicle care & maintenance that we think you should know for spring driving. Here are our top tips on how to make sure your vehicle is ready to head on your next adventure.
Spring Car Care Tip #1: Check your windshield wipers.
It’s no secret that windshield wipers are an important part of your vehicle. While a small and simple component, they help to make sure you’re able to see the road clearly no matter what the conditions are like. Worn, torn, or cracked wipers aren’t able to do their job correctly, leaving you with an unclear field of vision. Check your wipers for wear at least twice a year to make sure you can always see what’s on the road ahead of you.
Spring Car Care Tip #2: Make sure your tires are roadworthy.
Worn tires are a bigger issue than many people realize. They aren’t able to grip the road as well, leaving you at risk of sliding around when roads are wet. They can also make your ride bumpier, and can even have a negative impact on your gas mileage. The old penny trick is a great way to check your tire tread: put the penny upside down in your tread. If you can see the top of Abe Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace them!
Spring Car Care Tip #3: Check and fill vital fluids.
Your vehicle depends on a number of different fluids to function properly. This includes engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, steering fluid, and more. Some, like engine oil, are quite easy to check on your own. If you’re low, top them off with an appropriate replacement. Some are more complicated and may require the expertise of a Jiffy Lube® technician to check & fill properly.
Spring Car Care Tip #4: Replace cracked and squeaky belts and hoses.
This one is a bit trickier to check on your own if you aren’t sure what to look for. Cracked or squeaky belts, or cracked hoses, can lead to major issues if they fail while you are driving. A Jiffy Lube® technician can easily check these components for you to give you peace of mind.
Spring Car Care Tip #5: Check the condition of your brakes.
Another vehicle component that can be difficult to check on your own are your brakes. However, there are some signs that brakes need to be replaced that don’t require you to lift a finger. If you notice that your vehicle isn’t stopping as quickly, that your brake pedal feels squishy or comes closer to the floor, or you hear a squeaking or squealing noise when you’re using your brakes, it’s likely time to have them replaced.
Spring Car Care Tip #6: Check your air conditioner to make sure it is working.
If you haven’t run your air conditioner in a while, it’s a good idea to test it now before the summer heat comes along. If your AC isn’t blowing as cold, or isn’t cold at all, you may just need to have your system recharged to get it back to icy cold.
Stop by any participating Jiffy Lube service center location for a FREE inspection to check all of these areas of your vehicle and more! The highly trained technicians at Jiffy Lube can perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle to make sure you’re ready to hit the road. Plus, you can stop by your neighborhood location any time, no appointment needed!
Jiffy Lube® recommends following manufacturer recommendations, where applicable, for maintenance schedules and service intervals.
Not all services are offered at each Jiffy Lube® location. Please check with your local Jiffy Lube® service center for specific services offered.
Go to ChicagolandJiffyLube.com for services and locations in Chicagoland, Rockford, Northwest Indiana and Southeast Wisconsin.
Jiffy Lube® Service Centers are owned and operated by independent franchisees.