Hot To Get Your Car Ready for Warmer Weather With A Spring Tune Up

Technician performing routine maintenance on a vehicle

It's The First Day of Spring!

Spring is officially here in Dayton, Ohio and many families are preparing for road trips, vacations, and many more miles of driving than we typically see in the winter months. When you’re preparing for travels, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is in good shape and has the repairs and maintenance it needs to run reliably. At Jamie’s Tire & Service our expert mechanics understand how to inspect vehicles and locate problems before they become bigger issues, which can help you save time and money over time. If you’re getting ready for a road trip, stop by for a vehicle inspection to make sure your car is in top shape before hitting the road. Here are some things to look for and consider for your car to help get it tuned up for spring and summer driving.

Top Things to Inspect in a Spring Tune-Up

Engine Oil Change

Your engine’s oil is the lifeblood of your engine. Keeping it clean and changing it regularly is one of the most important maintenance items you should take care of. Oil changes should be performed between 3,000 and 5,000 miles, but the exact service intervals vary depending on the make and model of the car. Most drivers end up changing their oil between 3 and 5 times per year, depending on the number of miles they drive. Oil changes at Jamie’s Tire & Service also include fluid top-offs, tire pressure checks, and a general inspection of the vehicle to make sure everything is in good running order. If your oil change is going to come due soon or in the middle of your road trip, it’s a good idea to have it performed before you leave to avoid the hassle of changing it while out of town.

Coolant and Fluid Flushes

The coolant, power steering fluid, brake, and transmission fluid in your vehicle are all critical to your car or truck running smoothly. Having the condition, age, and level of each of these fluids checked is a good idea during a spring tune-up to keep all of the systems in your vehicle working properly. If these fluids are dark, discolored, or low, it’s time to change them. Just like engine oil, the brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other fluids break down over time and need to be changed at the recommended service intervals.

Brake Pads and Rotors

At Jamie’s Tire & Service, we recommend checking the level of your brake pads regularly to make sure you can stop safely. Brake pads should be replaced by the time they reach 1-2mm of thickness. The condition of the brake rotors and calipers should also be considered. If there are signs of excessive or uneven wear, it’s important to replace all of the associated parts to make sure you get the most out of the new equipment installed on your car. If you notice grinding, squeaking, or squealing coming from your vehicle, give us a call and we’d be happy to help get your brakes fixed and ready for spring. At Jamie’s Tire & Service, we check your brakes for FREE when performing a tire rotation.

Air Filter and Cabin Filter

There are normally two types of air filters in your vehicle. The engine air filter cleans the air going into the engine, keeping dust and debris from damaging the internal parts of the motor. These should be replaced regularly to help the engine intake pull in air efficiently. The second common type of filter that most modern vehicles have is a cabin air filter. This filter cleans the air in the cabin of the car that we breathe. Changing this filter will help ensure you have clean air to breath while driving, especially on long trips.

Tire Rotation and Tire Pressure

Tire rotations help make sure you get as many miles out of your tires as possible by promoting even wear on the front and rear tires. Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles or so, and if you purchased your tires from Jamie’s Tire & Service, we provide free tire balance and rotations for the life of those tires. If you can’t remember when you last had a tire rotation performed, it might be time to schedule one! Performing a tire rotation also allows us to inspect your brakes and make sure that they are in great shape.

Vehicle Lighting and Wipers

The lights and wipers on your car, truck, or SUV are important safety items. If you notice a headlight, tail light, or other light burnt out on your car, give the pros at Jamie’s Tire & Service a call and we’d be happy to help replace them for you. Windshield wipers are also important and should be replaced when they start to streak or break. We stock window wipers for all major makes and models, and can replace those for you at any one of our full-service auto repair centers.

Schedule Your Spring Tune Up Today!

Is it time for a spring inspection and tune up on your car? Give Jamie’s Tire & Service a call. We have 7 stores ready to help you take care of your vehicle and keep it on the road and running reliably. Whether you live in Dayton, Beavercreek, Fairborn, Kettering, or Xenia, we are here to help. We’ve been helping drivers keep their cars running smoothly for over 50 years, and we’d love to show you why so many people trust us to help with their vehicle maintenance.

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