• Check your brakes – After a Chicago winter its likely that you’ve used and abused your brakes without even trying to due to icy conditions and erratic snowfalls.  Warning signs of faulty brakes include squeaking, grinding, noticeably longer stop times or screeching.  Inspect the entire brake system, including lines, hoses and parking brake. Make sure the brake fluid is filled to its proper level. Have the brake linings/pads inspected and measured.
• Get your suspension checked - Chicago winters bring with them some pretty crummy roads.  Ice, salt, plows and rapid temperature changes can create potholes and rifts in our roads. Deep potholes certainly aren’t friendly to struts or shocks. An inspection to determine leaks or wear can alleviate bigger issues later on.
• Tires / Wheels – Cold weather can reduce tire pressure, so make sure all tires, including the spare, are properly inflated and wheels are properly aligned. Inflate tires to their recommended pressure. Also, rotating your tires extends their life and gives you better braking and handling.
• Battery Check – Test and replace old or weak batteries, especially those more than three years old.
• Oil Change – Definitely get your oil changed after the long winter.  Also, if you’ve been using thinner oil for the winter season then change back to 10W30 for the spring and summer.
• Check fluids – Double check and make sure that all of your cars necessary fluids are filled up and regulated.
• Wash Your Car – We all can get a little lazier over the winter months and neglect cleaning our car properly so be sure to take your car to the car wash and include underbody treatment as well to remove dirt and salt that could have built up over the winter months.

This has been another Auto Advice moment from your friends at Illinois Towing Service.  We provide expert car repair, auto towing and roadside assistance in neighborhoods along Chicago’s North Shore such as Northfield, Skokie, Winnetka, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Deerfield, Northbrook and more.  Call us 24/7 for service at (847) 966-1920.

**By no means is this a comprehensive list as there are many factors and maintenance routines that go into making an automobile function properly.  Please consult your mechanic, tow service or dealership if you are experiencing automobile difficulties, vehicle troubles, or need assistance with car problems you cannot handle on your own.

Recommended to check every month:

• Check your tire pressure.  Be sure to add air if they are low.  Always refer to your car’s owners manual for maximum limit to put into tires.  Also be sure when checking tires for air to also inspect them for wear, damage or possible bulges.
• Visually check over your belts and hoses.  If you spot worn or frayed areas its time to get those replaced.
• Always have a spare bottle of windshield wiper fluid on hand.  They’re only $2 and it pays to have plenty of fluid, especially in times of inclement weather where visibility is key and conditions can be hazardous.
• Be aware of leaks.  If you park in the same spot consistently it certainly pays to check the floor area where you park for any kind of puddles or stains to be sure there are no unexpected leaks.
• Inspect your headlights and tail lights to be sure none have burned out.  Lights that have expired themselves are a hazard on the road and are also ticketable by law.

Recommended to check every 3 months:

• Have your oil changed as well as your oil filter checked. This is also recommended every 3,000 miles if you’ve hit that mark before 3 months time.
• Check your fluids.  Brake, power steering, battery and transmission fluids are all crucial to keeping a car running healthily.  Fill if low.
• Check for corrosion on battery and cables.
• Fuel filter and spark plugs need to be functioning and up to date for an engine to run properly.  Inspect these to insure smooth engine running.
• If you are uncomfortable performing any of the aforementioned check-ups, make sure to schedule an appointment with your mechanic or local auto care center.

Recommended to check every 6 months:

• Wiper blades usually last quite some time, but if noticeably worn or are streaking your windshield be sure to visit your auto parts store or dealership to purchase replacements.  Most places will even apply them on for you.
• Check your brakes for wear or ’slippage.’  Worn out brakes can create a major safety hazard for you.  Be sure to have them replaced and/or checked if constant squeaking, sliding or wear is noticed.
• Be sure to check your spare tire and make sure its inflated.  No case where one has to use the spare is ever desirable, but most will encounter at least one time in their lives when using the spare is necessary.  Be positive its ready to go in case of one of those emergencies.

With a little care and maintenance a car can live a long life.  Taking a bit of extra time to monitor the aforementioned pointers could very well spare you a costly and stressful endeavor with auto repair work or a tow that could have possibly been avoided.

This has been another Auto Advice moment from your friends at Illinois Towing Service.  We provide expert car repair, auto towing and roadside assistance in neighborhoods along Chicago’s North Shore such as Glenview, Skokie, Wilmette, Niles, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Deerfield, Northbrook and more.  Call us 24/7 at 847-966-1920.

**By no means is this a comprehensive list as there are many factors and maintenance routines that go into making an automobile function properly.  Please consult your mechanic or dealership if you are experiencing automobile difficulties, vehicle troubles, or need assistance with car problems you cannot handle on your own.