Winter is a problem for many automotive components, so it’s important to have a general car inspection done as spring arrives. An auto service after winter will avoid serious and costly breakdowns.
Road conditions in the winter are a real school of life for many vehicles. Negative temperatures lead to engine problems. Most often the fault lies on the side of the battery, which under the influence of low temperatures loses its properties. The frosty aura outside the window also adversely affects other, often very important components responsible for the safety of travelers. It may even be necessary to replace the steering rod, the price of which is quite high. Many drivers with the onset of spring are limited to the replacement of summer tires, washing and body care. Meanwhile, maintenance after winter should focus on controlling what you can’t see, and first and foremost:
- suspension;
- brake system;
- filters;
- fluids;
- rubber components.
First of all the suspension
A mixture of water and salt is everyday life on the roads during the winter. In the form of slush, it goes right under the wheels of our vehicle. It is often a deadly compound that leads to corrosion or jamming of certain parts. The swingarm is one of the most important components of the suspension. Because of the nature of its operation, it is in continuous vertical and horizontal motion. It has rubber bushings that damp any vibrations that occur during movement. They most often break, and signs of breakage appear, for example, when driving on an uneven road – we hear a knock in the area of the front wheels.
Another suspension element that often breaks is the shock absorber. One of its elements are the gaskets, which often “let go” in the cold. Water seeps into the shock absorber. As a result, it does not work well.
Secondly the brakes
During the winter inspection, you should also pay attention to the condition of the brakes. The brake system usually consists of rigid (metal) and flexible hoses. The metal parts are prone to corrosion, which can cause them to break. If we see corrosion on the tubes, we should replace them immediately. To check the condition, dismantle the vehicle’s wheel. Corrosion most often occurs at the junction of metal and rubber. In this case, it is worth replacing both the hose and the hard hose. When servicing, it is also necessary to replace the brake fluid.
Pads, disks, and calipers. When looking at the brake system, it’s also worth looking at the condition of the pads, disks, and calipers. Rust is showing up on them – you’ll usually hear unpleasant squeaks when you brake. In most cases, all you need to do is remove the wheel and then remove the debris.
Third is fuel and air quality
When we do winter maintenance, we should also remember to change some filters.
Fuel Filter. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked during maintenance. It is mainly responsible for cleaning the fuel, thus improving its quality. The injectors through which fuel passes are extremely sensitive to dirt and they are expensive to repair. Therefore, it pays to act preventatively and replace this filter regularly. If you need to clean the injector the price of it is quite affordable.
Cabin filter. The cabin filter is responsible for the quality of the air inside, it catches any contaminants from the air. It also absorbs a lot of moisture, so it is a good environment for fungi.
Fourth fluids
This is another thing to check before spring arrives. Engine oil deserves special attention as it should be changed regularly. It’s also worth checking from time to time whether its level differs from the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, the cost of changing the oil in the mcpp is quite low, so it can simply be replaced.
Let’s not forget about checking the coolant and the oil responsible for power steering.
Fifth rubber parts
The rubber parts of the car should also be checked. We are talking about seals and wiper blades. Like all rubber elements, they also poorly tolerate negative temperatures.
To regenerate hard seals with cracks, it is enough to use silicone
Also in the case of gaskets it is worth acting preventively, because it is not worth replacing them with new ones.
