While you are around Corpus Christi browsing for cards, candies, and flowers for that special person that completes your life, don’t forget that special vehicle that completes your daily commute.
Loving your car today will strengthen your long term relationship, and prevent relegation to the scrap heap. How can you boost your human-vehicle relationship? Three simple steps.
1) Keep it clean. Sounds simple, but regular cosmetic maintenance is very important. Keeping chemicals and salts from the roadways washed off of the paint, wheels, and undercarriage will help prevent damage. Leaving Sodium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, and Magnesium Chloride sitting on your vehicle can lead to rust, corrosion, and flaws in the finish. Using a soft sponge during washes removes solid contaminants and chemicals that can destroy your paint finish. In more extreme circumstances, the corrosion can effect wiring and sensors. Maintaining the appearance also helps keep the value of your vehicle up, as well as your pride in this investment.
2) Give it a good walk around. Once you have your car cleaned up and ready for the roads, take a quick walk around the vehicle. Make sure all of your lights are working and check tire pressure as it tends to drop in colder temperatures. Take look at the tread of your tires. Is it time for a rotation? Does the tread depth measure up to Lincoln’s head when you place a penny in your tire? Your tires, including tread depth and wear, are critical to your safe driving.
3) Don’t leave it thirsty. Fluids are critical in all aspects of your vehicle, including lubrication, cooling/heating, and visibility. Most of these are best left to a qualified technician to service, but you can top off your wiper fluid and check levels yourself. Look at the clear expansion tank for your cooling system to see if you are running low on coolant. If the fluid is low, please bring your car to Dub’s Garage. Our technicians can inspect the system to insure there are no leaks, then replace the old coolant with the appropriate coolant for your vehicle. We can also evaluate your other systems, including your fuel delivery, braking, and drive line, where low or poor quality fluids can leave you at risk of expensive repairs or damage.
To many, the love of their vehicle goes beyond point A to point B transportation. It is your investment, and something you should enjoy owning and driving. Don’t forget to give your other “love” some attention, for less time and money than dinner and a movie. For more advice, call our auto repair shop in Corpus Christi at 361.444.1355.