Spring Car Care Tips: How To Get Your European Car Back Into Shape

Winter can be brutal on your car. With all the beating your car endured during the cold winter months (including below zero temperatures, snow and ice, road salt, pot holes and frost heaves), you definitely need to give it the attention it deserves to keep it working at its best. How do you keep your European car in tip top condition? Here are some spring maintenance tips that can help you accomplish your goal.

Remove leftover salt. Road salt is extremely corrosive and may cause extensive damages to your car, especially on the car's frame and subframe, exhaust and muffler systems, and coil springs. Avoid this by taking your car to highly rated car wash that has an under-spray.

Check suspension and wheel alignment. Driving over potholes can be especially trying for your car, and may even cause serious damage to your car's alignment and suspension. To be safe while you're on the road, consider having a suspension check and have your wheels aligned.

Mind your tires. This is the perfect time to remove your winter tires and change back to your summer tires. Since they affect your car's handling, traction and safety, experts recommend having your tires rotated every 5,000 miles. You should also make sure that all your tires are properly inflated and balanced.

Check your fluid levels. Have an oil change, flush your transmission and brake fluids, and top up your anti-freeze and windshield washer.

Check your brakes. Listen for any signs of brake wear such as squealing or screeching and have an expert technician check the pads and rotors to eliminate any safety issues.

Your car is an investment, and you need to protect it. With regular use without proper care, it can deteriorate fast! Keep your car in its tip-top condition and at par with the highest up-to-date standards with your local European car repair services. Whether it's brand new, or has been your partner for years, they're the experts who have the skills, the tools and resources, and the dedication to get and keep your European car in its highest potential.

With summer just around the corner, a lot of people are already busy making plans for their dream vacation. While going on a road trip with your partner or the whole family can be a fun-filled adventure, it can easily turn into a nightmare if you don't make the necessary preparations. Breaking down miles away from home is not only inconvenient. It may even put your family's safety on the line.

So, if you are planning to go on a road trip, don't pack your bags until you have performed a pre-trip vehicle check. How do you do this? Here's what the Car Care Council recommends.

Check your tires. Make sure that your tire is inflated to the proper pressure since an underinflated tire can reduce your gas mileage. Also check for signs of uneven wear, bulges and bald spots. This is extremely important since unsafe tires can increase your risk of encountering accidents on the road.

Check your brakes and battery. Ideally, your brakes should be at least 50% while the battery connections should be clean and rust-free.

Check the hoses and belts.Your car's electrical system, air conditioning, cooling system and power steering depend on the integrity of your hoses and belts so make sure they do not show signs of excessive wear and tear.

Check filters and fluids.Check your air filter before going on a road trip since a clean air filter improves gas mileage, increases engine life, provides better acceleration and produces less emissions. You should also check your car's fluids (including engine oil, transmission, brake and power steering fluid, coolant and windshield washer solvent) to keep your car running properly and keep repair costs down.

Check the wipers and lighting. Make sure that all your lighting (interior and exterior) and wipers are functioning properly so you can easily see and be seen while traveling on the road.