Mar 9, 2021
Car Care

Spring is finally here and it is difficult to stay around the house, much less stay indoors after such a winter. One way to combat boredom is to give your vehicle some TLC. For optimal performance, vehicles need regularly-scheduled maintenance and a bit of upkeep. It feels wonderful to hop in and drive a clean, pristine machine. If you’re not really sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. McLarty Daniel Buick GMC in Bentonville is always here to assist our customers and can offer some great tips for spring cleaning for your car!

GOODBYE WINTER: Who isn’t ready for bright sunshine and fresh warm days? To make room for Spring, clear out the winter stuff like your extra pair of gloves, ice scraper, and tire chains. This is also a great opportunity to clean all the windows, vacuum the upholstery…

, and give your vehicle a once-over with car cleaning wipes for a fresh feel. Also, it’s not too bad of an idea to wipe down the interior with a protectant so to protect the vinyl or leather from UV rays. Too, no matter what season we’re in, it’s very practical to keep some items like a flashlight with fresh batteries for emergencies, a tire pressure gauge, and — to help keep you and everyone safe until Covid-19 is beaten and done — a package of disposable face masks and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

CLEAN EXTERIOR: There’s nothing as frustrating as getting into your vehicle and noticing bird poop all over it. While nobody likes the idea of scrubbing away at literal poop from a passing bird, it’s not something to wait on, as waiting too long to clean bird droppings or bug guts off your car can cause damage to the paint or clearcoat. A suggested helpful cleaning tip to getting the recycled bird seed off your vehicle without damaging the exterior paint: spritz a little WD-40 on the area, let it sit for 60 seconds, then rinse or wipe away with a soft cloth.

SMART MAINTENANCE: Having a healthy vehicle is key, therefore you’ll need to make sure that your vehicle’s fluid levels are at the optimal operating levels. Along with routine oil changes, there’s other little things you want to check as well. For example, check your vehicle’s cabin air filter to see if it needs to be replaced. Not only does a fresh air filter keep your vehicle breathing well, a clogged filter can severely impact your fuel economy and even make some vehicles bypass the filter altogether, allowing dirty, dusty air to enter your engine. Along with checking fluid levels and filters., check to see if your vehicle has enough windshield wiper fluid, and while you have your vehicle’s hood up, clear out the dead leaves. 

TIRE CHECK: With winter come and gone, the pressure in your vehicle’s tires will have fluctuated due to outdoor temperature change. Here is the golden rule about tire care: when you have an underinflated tire, your gas mileage goes down and the risk of having a flat tire goes up. If the tire is overinflated, you are also at risk of a dangerous blowout. That is why it’s good to have a tire gauge tucked away in the glove box. Usually, the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) is between 30 to 35. Check your automotive manual for your vehicle’s recommended PSI. And don’t forget to check the pressure in your spare tire too! If every tire isn’t up to pressure, most gas stations have air compressors, and local tire stores will usually check your tire pressure and air up your tires for free.

These are just a few suggestions for spring cleaning your vehicle and getting ready for warmer and brighter days. At McLarty Daniel Buick GMC in Bentonville, our customers are our main priority. We are here and ready to serve our great community. Let us assist you when the time comes for you to buy your next new vehicle. If your car is in need of maintenance or service,, you can schedule a service maintenance appointment online. 

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