Seasonal Motoring Tips - Spring

The Winter looks like it's finally over and spring is here at last. It's time to clean off the Winter grime and salt and get ready for sunnier days. Winter weather can be the culprit for a variety of car maladies from suspension wear to paint damage. One area in particular that often suffers from damage is anything made of rubber. That's hoses, wiper blades and belts to you and me. There's plenty to check at this time of year and most of the things that need attention can by done at home, so here's a spring checklist.

Wiper Blade Check
Your wipers have worked hard all Winter getting rid of dirt and debris on your windscreen. Replacing them now means that you can drive with confidence during the April showers that we are guaranteed to get. Some symptoms of worn wipers are:

• Streaking. Blurry vision caused by dry or dirty rubber blades
• Chattering. Skipping of the blade caused by the permanent set or curve in the rubber of old blades
• Worn Rubber. Rounding of the wiping edge caused by extended use
• Split Rubber. Cracked and split rubber caused by prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays
• Bent Wiper Frame. Bent or broken wiper blade frames can be caused by vandalism or automatic car washes.

If any of these symptoms are found when you check your blades, then it's time to replace them. As a general rule wiper blades last about 6 months.

Belts and Hoses Check
Exposure to heat, vibration and contamination makes belts and hoses wear out faster than any other components, especially during the Winter. That's why regular inspections are so important. Here's some areas to check.

Hose connections

• Are they soft? Are the hose clamps secure?
• Check the hose condition for brittleness and bulging
• Check the condition of the hose clips
• If in doubt- replace

Drive belt(s) radiator

• Are they glazed or showing signs of internal rust or corrosion?
• Check the overall condition for cracks, fraying and security of the mountings
• Check the tension in accordance to your handbook

Pressure cap & water pump

• Check the valve and spring on the pressure cap for seizing and corrosion
• Check the seal condition on the pressure cap is it a tight fit?
• Have the system pressure tested

Other

• Is the thermostat functioning normally?
• Check that the fan clutch is engaging and disengaging properly
• Check that the electric fan (where fitted) is functioning properly.

Brake Check
After cold weather driving, a brake check is a smart safety precaution. One of the most obvious warning signs of wear is brake noise, including excessive grinding, squealing, screeching, or chatter. If you have driven frequently through floodwater, an inspection will ensure your brakes are free of corrosion and operating properly. If you need a full Brake safety check, your local Unipart Car Care Centre will always be happy to help.

Air Conditioning Check
Spring is the perfect time to have your air conditioning (A/C) checked and recharged. As well 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. Many Unipart Car Care Centres offer air conditioning services and can take care of your system before the temperature rises.

Battery Check
How long has it been since you checked and cleaned your battery connections? The corrosion that may have accumulated through the Winter, acting as insulation between the battery terminals and their connections, can disable even the best electrical system. Connections should be removed, cleaned and, after reassembly, treated with an anticorrosive product.

Suspension Check
Salt and water are especially corrosive on rubber mountings, bushes, and other suspension parts. Winter driving often means uneven road surfaces, which in turn can speed up wear and tear on struts and shock absorbers, road springs and other components. A full geometry and suspension check is recommended at this time of year and of course that can be carried out at your local Unipart Car Care Centre.

General Checks
Of course there are plenty of other regular checks to make, tyres, oil and much more, so Click here for Weekly checklist or Click here to find your local Unipart Car Care Centre.

Washing the Car
Simple as the process may seem, there are good, better and best ways to wash your car at home. Be a little fussy about the car shampoo you use Don't ever use household detergent. It's likely to take off the wax or polish and some products can damage the paint.

Always try to wash your car in the shade, washing a hot surface can result in hard-to-remove streaks. Flush off as much of the road dirt as possible before applying the suds. The sponge, towel or washing mitt should be free of abrasive grit.

Pay attention to those crevices underneath the vehicle that accumulate mud and road dirt, especially important in the spring after all the salt. The high-pressure hose or a jet wash is great for this, as is a home-style pressure washer.

Be careful where you aim the nozzle, excessive pressure can loosen trim or moldings.

Automotive chemical manufacturers have developed new products that make the finished job more impressive. Tyres and black plastic trim, for example, can be made to look like new with protective dressings. There are cleaners for chrome, aluminium and stainless steel; even products designed for hard-to-remove brake pad dust from wheels.

The interior deserves "wall-to-wall" attention in spring-cleaning. After vacuuming the carpeting, upholstery and door panels, and a good fabric cleaner, shampoo or spot remover followed by a protective spray can bring drab fabrics back to life. The padded dash and other vinyl areas can be cleaned and protected with wipe-on or spray products created specifically for these surfaces.