Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Removing your car from winter storage.


Getting your car back on the road is always a little trickier than storing it properly. It’s a job that most car owners must deal with but here are some pointers on how to get your car ready to hit the road again.

Change the oil and oil filter. If you’ve changed the oil before putting the car away, you’ll be in good shape when it’s time to start it up again after a long winters storage but before starting the car, check the oil level on the dipstick first and then recheck it again once the car has been idling for a few minutes.

Remove the spark plugs and squirt a small amount of motor oil into each cylinder to pre lubricate the engine. We know that access to the plugs may be difficult in some cars but this is critical to and helpful in prolonging your engine life.

When storing your vehicle you may have disconnected the battery so you’ll obviously need to reconnect the battery if this is the case. If the car has been stored for a year or more, you may need to purchase and install a new battery.

You’ll want to check the tire pressure before getting your car on the road. It is critical to have properly inflated tires as this ensures the best possible contact between the tire and the road. Read your owners manual to find out the proper pressure. Properly inflated tires will also improve gas mileage.

Check all vital fluid levels including coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid and so on..

Also, you may want to check underneath the car to confirm that there are no leaks that need attention.

Drain and properly dispose of any gas in the tank. This may seem like a terrible waste but bad gas means trouble.

Now you can give your car a good wash and wax, don’t forget the inside and enjoy your ride!

Visit us at www.prudentvaluecars.com for more information.

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