ACDelco offers tips for Spring car care

Grand Blanc, Mich. — April is Spring Car Care Month, and ACDelco wants drivers to prepare their vehicles for safe and efficient driving conditions during the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons.

"Now is the time to make sure your vehicle is getting the parts and services it needs from a professionally trained technician," says Sue Christophersen, manager of ACDelco Service Training, U.S., "and ACDelco has parts for whatever you drive."

Most people know to check their oil frequently and have it changed on a regular basis, and that is a good start, Christophersen says. But not only does the oil need to be checked regularly, so do batteries, brakes, emissions systems, lights, fluids, and air conditioning systems.

With Spring in full swing and Summer approaching, ACDelco recommends that vehicle owners:

Have the cooling system pressure tested and checked for leaks and inspect the radiator, hoses and connections. Make sure the system has the right coolant mixture. Inspect the suspension and steering system for wear and tear. Winter driving means collisions with curbs, potholes and hidden obstacles that may have caused concealed damage. Have the tires balanced and rotated. Replace worn tires and get an alignment if necessary. Replace the windshield wiper blades. Check all fluid levels.

The best guide to preventive maintenance is the owner's manual of the vehicle. It provides a maintenance schedule and indicates how often work is needed and the recommended service intervals.

Naturally, common sense plays a big role in vehicle care; much depends on the time of year and the age and condition of the vehicle.

A five-year-old vehicle may need new belts and hoses even though it hasn't reached the recommended mileage for changing those parts. Likewise, air filters and spark plug wires should be inspected, and battery and cable connectors should be cleaned and tightened regularly even though the parts themselves may not need to be replaced.

"Just because there are 100,000-mile service intervals on new car systems or components doesn't mean maintenance isn't needed," Christophersen says.

Christophersen also suggests that unless vehicle owners feel qualified to perform these tasks themselves, they should consider taking their vehicle to a quality service center for regular checkups and maintenance.

ACDelco is part of General Motors Service and Parts Operations (SPO). Headquartered in Grand Blanc, Mich., SPO markets automotive replacement parts and accessories worldwide under the GM and ACDelco brand names.