Preparing Your Mazda For the Spring/Summer

As winter gradually gives way to spring then summer, it is important that you take some steps to prepare your Mazda automobile for the new season. There are a number of key maintenance services you should have the professionals at Seacoast Mazda perform on your vehicle to make sure it will function safely and properly come spring. They have certified technicians trained to service the key features and systems on your Mazda to keep it running in tiptop condition when you hit the road in spring. Although your Mazda may seem like it made it through the freezing cold winter weather in good shape, there are a few maintenance services you should have done to it to guarantee optimal performance.

A Brake Inspection

Driving in freezing rain, sleet, snow and ice takes a toll on your vehicle's braking system. The certified technicians at Seacoast Mazda will perform a thorough inspection of your braking system to make sure snow, ice, sand, salt, slush and cold temperatures have not damaged or compromised the functioning of your calipers, brake pads or any of the other parts of your vehicle's braking system. They will check and fill your master cylinder, make sure your calipers are functioning properly, check the level of wear on your brake pads and change them if necessary. This will ensure your brakes are in good working order.

Underbody Wash

During the winter months, snow, sand, salt, grease, grime and other roadway elements can splash up on the undercarriage of your vehicle. Many of these substances can cause rust, corrosion and other types of deterioration to many of the important parts under an automobile. At Seacoast Mazda they will power wash the undercarriage of your truck, car or SUV as part of their thorough spring cleaning. This will enable them to better inspect your undercarriage to make sure none of the parts have been damaged by your winter driving. Not only will an underbody wash remove sand, salt, grease and grime, it will reveal any undercarriage damage.

Inspect And Replace Windshield Wiper Blades

Winter weather can wreak havoc on an automobile's windshield wiper blades. When you combine freezing temperatures with heavy snow and stubborn ice, your windshield wiper blades can take a beating during the winter. Often, by the time spring rolls around, the windshield wiper blades are damaged and unable to clean the windshield efficiently and effectively. That could lead to diminished visibility when driving in spring rain showers. The team at Seacoast Mazda will examine your windshield wiper blades, let you know if they are damaged and need replacing and recommend good ones for you to use.

Check The Tires

A tire inspection is an important part of your vehicle's spring maintenance service. The technicians at Seacoast Mazda will make sure that your tires are properly inflated, have sufficient thread and don't have uneven wear. Plus, they will check to make sure they are not damaged. The technicians will also look at whether you have snow tires that need to be switched for ones that are better suited for driving in spring and summer. They can switch out snow tires and make sure that your new ones are properly inflated and balanced to ensure even wear and a smoother driving experience. That can enhance your vehicle's safety and performance and only takes a few minutes to do.

A Wheel Alignment

Driving in rough winter conditions and hitting snow banks, ice patches and potholes can cause the wheels of a vehicle to lose the proper alignment. The technicians at Seacoast Mazda will check to see if the vehicle moves to the right or left when the steering wheel is centered. Should the vehicle be unable to drive in a straight line when the steering wheel is centered, the technicians will then fix the alignment so the vehicle can drive safely without the tires being subjected to uneven wear. Inspecting the wheel alignment as part of spring automobile services is very important for driving safely.

A Thorough Cleaning

When a vehicle is driven through snow, slush, sand and salt, they often splash up and can do damage to a vehicle's paint job. To protect the paint job and the components on the undercarriage, its important during the spring cleaning of your Mazda to clean its undercarriage, exterior and interior. People often track sludge into the interior of vehicles in winter. That sludge contains salt, sand, water and oil. If it remains on the floor covering and bottom of the doors for too long, it can do real damage to them. The team at Seacoast Mazda will clean the car's interior, exterior and undercarriage during their spring cleaning services.

Check And Fill Fluids

When you drive your vehicle in winter weather, the different fluids in it will become depleted. This is especially true when it comes to windshield wiper fluid. But motor oil, brake fluid, coolant and transmission fluid levels can also be depleted. When you take your automobile to Seacoast Mazda for spring maintenance service, they will check and fill all of your fluid levels including your coolant. That will ensure that your vehicle will be able to keep its engine at the proper temperature. The technicians will ensure that all your fluids meet the proper fluid levels shown in the vehicle's owner's manual.

Oil Change

An important component of your vehicle's spring maintenance service is an oil change.  Oil is the life blood of an automobile's engine. Moor oil helps the engine to function properly. It lubricates the engine components and keeps excessive heat from building up and damaging the engine. Motor oil also protects the components from wear and tear.

Clean motor oil also keeps dirt and debris out of the engine and helps to prevent the development of corrosion. At the end of winter, you should let the team at Seacoast Mazda remove the dirty oil and old oil filter and put in clean oil and a new oil filter to provide the engine with cooling, protective lubrication.