It’s time for spring cleaning! Break out your scrubbing sponges, vacuum cleaner, and—the car keys?! Yep, that’s right. Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home. After a long winter, your car needs some tender loving care, too. Check and if needed, change these five important car fluids to keep your car running right this spring!
Car Fluids to Check in the Spring
1. REFRIGERANT/FREON
As temperatures rise with spring’s arrival, chances are good you’ll be cranking that temperature control from “heat” to “cool.” To make sure your car’s air conditioning system is ready to keep you cool at a moment’s notice, have your refrigerant or Freon level checked by a trained technician at Firestone Complete Auto Care. When the temperatures climb in a few weeks, you’ll thank yourself for thinking ahead and topping off your air conditioning coolant.
2. RADIATOR FLUID
Just like your air conditioning refrigerant or freon keeps you from overheating in your car, radiator fluid helps keep your engine from overheating. Run low and you risk overheating your engine and getting stranded on the side of the road.
CarCare.org's advice is to consult your owner's manual for specific recommendations about how often to change radiator fluid. A radiator coolant flush and fill is basic to cooling system maintenance, as new fluid helps the engine run cooler and a flush removes dirt or sediment that could damage other cooling system parts.
3. WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID
There's never a bad time to double check your windshield wiper fluid. If you live in an area where temperatures dip below freezing in the winter, there's even a chance your wiper fluid was partially or completely frozen at one point in the past few months. Since frozen wiper fluid can sometimes cause damage to the wiper fluid system, it's a good idea to have the system examined for leaks or improper function.
Either way, spring is about to pepper your windshield with bugs, rain, leaves, and whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Get ahead of the changing seasons by topping of your wiper fluid now.
4. TRANSMISSION FLUID
Planning to take a long road trip this spring or summer? Let’s make sure your transmission is in tip-top shape to help you avoid car trouble along the way.
Transmission fluid serves as both an oil and a hydraulic fluid that helps facilitate gear shifts, cool the transmission, and lubricate moving parts--all essential functions! Ignore this car fluid and you might experience grinding or squealing while shifting, difficulty shifting, slipping gears, or unexplainable surging.
Your vehicle manufacturer recommends a transmission flush and fluid change schedule that’s specifically designed for your car. Bring your car to your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for a printout of your manufacturer recommended service schedule and if needed, a transmission fluid refresh.
5. MOTOR OIL
Routine oil changes are vital to your engine’s longevity. Changing the oil can be especially important as temperatures rise and driving conditions change. Depending on where you live and the type of vehicle you drive, it may be necessary to switch types of motor oil in the spring/summer. When you bring your vehicle in for an oil change, our trained technicians can recommend the best motor oil for your vehicle, mileage, and climate.
We can’t do much about the dust bunnies under your bed, but we can help prepare your vehicle for warm weather with the right car fluid changes. Bring your vehicle in for a simple oil change and we’ll perform a complimentary 19-point inspection, plus we’ll check and top off other important car fluids. Spring will be here before you know it, so find your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care location and schedule your appointment today!
