Why perform a springtime car inspection?

According to the American Society of Appraisers, a vehicle is the second biggest purchase for Americans behind a house. You can stretch that investment with an annual vehicle inspection to keep your vehicle working reliably and consistently for many years to come.¹

The National Car Care Council found that neglected vehicles are the cause of 2,600 deaths on road and 100,000 disabling injuries every year. The council also found that 85% of cars inspected needed some maintenance done. An annual vehicle inspection usually improves the safety of vehicles on the road.¹

Gas is rapidly rising to $3/gallon. Every mile per gallon earned is money saved. Poorly maintained cars waste 25% to 33% more gas per mile. Usually there are easy and inexpensive ways to improve the mpg of your vehicle, all done during an annual checkup.²

Vehicle Inspection Checklist

An annual vehicle inspection may protect your investments, improve safety, and save you money. But performing a vehicle inspection can be daunting if you don’t know what to look for. We’ve provided a list of areas of your vehicle to look out for and ways to check them.

Print Off Vehicle Inspection Checklist

Air Filters: Unfasten all clamps and fasteners from the air box, remove the filter, clean out the air box with a rag, replace with a new air filter, and refasten the air box. Check your owner’s manual to see if your car has a replaceable cabin air filter – the filter’s usually behind a panel inside the glove compartment.³

Note: Washable performance air filters can save money and improve engine performance.

Radiator Hoses: Inspect by pinching. Hoses should be flexible, not sticky. Check for swelling where hoses attach to engine or radiator. If swollen, replace immediately.⁴

Inspect hose clamps: Make sure they are secure and not leaking.⁴

V Belts: For older vehicles. Turn v belt over so the v is facing you. Look for cracking and glazing. If found, the v belt needs replacing.⁴

Serpentine Belts: Look for missing ribs, fraying, cracking, or cords. Replace if needed.⁴

Note: My first car, I never checked my belts. I let my serpentine belt get too cracked that it broke while I was driving. I lost power steering. Thankfully, I was a block away from my house.

Lights: Check and replace headlights, blinker lights, and brake lights immediately if out.

Windshield Wipers: Winter weather wears on a windshield wiper. Check and replace so you have adequate vision when it rains during the spring and summer. Top off your windshield wiper fluid as well.⁵

Battery: You can usually bring your car battery into an auto parts store for a free inspection. Summer is actually harder on the battery than winter. Make sure it is performing well before summer hits.⁵

Coolant: Summer is hot. Coolant helps keep your vehicle cool. Check your coolant levels and refill if necessary. Consider having a flushed performed to get rid of debris.³

Air conditioning: Many issues can result in poor air conditioning. Low refrigerant, clogged condenser, a leak, or a loose drive belt can be reason.⁵

Breaks: When driving, listen if your breaks are consistently squealing or grinding. If so, you may need them replaced.³

Tire Pressure: Change of weather affects the tire pressure. Make sure your tires are properly inflated for maximum gas mileage performance. Your tires will label the adequate tire pressure.³

Tire Tread: One easy way to check tread is the penny test. Simply insert a penny into your tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tread depth is less than 2/32 inch and it's time to replace your tires.⁶

Oil: Change your oil at least after every 3,000 miles.³

Clean Exterior: Living with snow, the road salt used can build up on your vehicle and cause corrosion. Give your vehicle a proper wash during the spring.³

Clean interior: Clean upholstery and vinyl and carpets. Clean the inside of your windshield for a better driving view.³

Clear Clutter: Extra weight reduces your mpg. This is a good time to clear the clutter from your car.³

Check paint: Deep enough chips in the paint can cause rust. Touch up these spots and give your car a full wax.³ 

Notice: This checklist is for informational purposes only and are just a few items to think about when personally performing a vehicle inspection. This should not be a substitute for your owner's manual or professional service or advice.

Sources:
¹http://www.nbcnews.com/id/12171275/ns/business-the_driver_seat/t/give-your-car-some-tlc-save-money-lives/#.WIeEHdIrK71

²http://genxfinance.com/28-tips-to-save-money-on-car-expenses-and-save-thousands-of-dollars/

³http://www.autofocus.ca/how-to/car-care/your-car-spring-and-summer-maintenance-checklist

⁴http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/o/article-automotive-belts-automotive-hose

⁵http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/o/article-spring-vehicle-maintenance-checklist

⁶http://www.goodyearautoservice.com/content/content.jsp?pageName=TreadDepth