Five commandments of the driver before spring
With the onset of spring, most drivers go on long trips. That is why it is worth inspecting the car after the winter now. Here are five commandments every driver should keep in mind before getting their car ready for spring.
Check Suspension 
Driving in winter on roads cleared of snow or streets with pits, we quickly wear out some elements of the suspension and steering. During the spring inspection, it is worth carefully checking the joints of the steering rods, the steering mechanism or the ends of the rods, as well as the condition of the shock absorbers. It is these elements that are subjected to the greatest load. Their possible replacement is inexpensive and can be carried out quickly even by yourself. – A sign that some part of the steering or suspension needs to be replaced is the vibrations on the steering wheel that are felt while driving or the vehicle's handling deteriorates when cornering. If we do not take care of this, we risk losing control of the car and getting into an accident. It is also worth remembering that with this type of repair, the suspension geometry must also be readjusted,” says Sebastian Ugrynowicz of Nissan and Suzuki Auto Club Service in Poznań.
Take care of your service brakes
A mixture of sand and salt, slush and the need to press the brake pedal more often than in summer also affect the wear of the brake disc and pads. Does this mean that you will have to replace them with new ones after the winter? Not necessary. The diagnostic path test will quickly check the effectiveness of the entire braking system. If we are about to replace any part, remember that the brake discs and pads should be replaced in pairs - both on the right and on the left wheel of the same axle. The possible replacement of worn discs or calipers does not require too much money and time, and can be extremely important, especially since with the improvement of the aura, many drivers start to drive much faster.
Use the right tires
As soon as the snowfall stops and the temperature rises above 0°C, some drivers immediately change their winter tires to summer ones. But experts warn against excessive haste in this case. - With such an exchange, it is worth waiting until the temperature rises above 7 degrees in the morning. It is better not to focus on midday temperatures, because in the morning there may still be frosts. In such a situation, a car with summer tires can easily skid, says Andrzej Strzelczyk from Volvo Auto Bruno Service in Szczecin. When changing tires, you should also take care of the proper tire pressure.
We also shouldn't put off changing car tires too long. Driving with winter tires on hot asphalt causes a significant increase in fuel consumption and faster wear of the tires themselves. In addition, this is not very reasonable, because at too high a temperature, the braking distance of a car with winter tires increases significantly.
Air conditioning is also safe
In winter, many drivers do not use air conditioning at all. As a result, restarting it can be an unpleasant surprise. It may turn out that it is faulty or, even worse, it is a fungus. For this reason, it may lead to allergy symptoms rather than making travel easier. – Currently, cleaning the air conditioner and replacing the cabin filter is a small expense. Thanks to this, we can travel comfortably and, just as importantly, increase our safety, because an effective air conditioner prevents too much steam from entering the windows, explains Sebastian Ugrinovich.
Prevent corrosion
Winter also has a negative effect on the condition of the car body. Slush, mixed with the salt that road builders sprinkle on roads, is one of the most common causes of corrosion. The first preventive step is a thorough washing of the car, including its chassis, and a comprehensive inspection of the condition of the body. If we notice any chipping, we must contact a specialist who will suggest how best to deal with the problem. – Usually, if we are dealing with a small cavity, it is enough to properly protect the surface. However, sometimes it is necessary to repaint the entire element or part of it, which prevents the formation of corrosion centers. It is also worth considering the use of a coating that protects the varnish from weathering and mechanical damage. This solution makes it possible to avoid the additional costs associated with refinishing the paintwork in the future,” explains Dariusz Anasik, Service Director of Mercedes-Benz Auto-Studio in Łódź. The cost of such treatment will still be lower than the cost of repairing a car body when the rust has already crept in.
A car prepared in this way should not cause big problems during spring trips. The cost of a spring inspection should pay off because we avoid later repairs of discovered defects.
