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When most people hear the term “spring cleaning”, they relate it most to the deep cleaning of your home. Did you know that your car needs spring cleaning as well? More than just vacuuming the carpets and polishing the vinyl, there are many vital parts to your car that requires annual checkups.

April is National Car Care Month, and Star City Tire is here to make sure you and your family arrive safely to whatever your summer vacation destination may be. Here are a few tips to use as a checklist while doing spring cleaning on your vehicle!

• Check fluids! Make sure all fluids, including engine oil, power steering fluid, brake and transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, and antifreeze are topped off! Reminder – brake fluid flush is recommended once a year. What better time to check this off of your list!
• Check belts & hoses! Closely inspect all belts and hoses under the hood. Belts and hoses older than five years can become cracked and brittle and may need to be replaced. Take notice of a hose that seems blistered or too soft, or simply shows signs of excessive wear.
•  Check the battery, plugs, and wires! Winter is harsh on your vehicle, and can cause extra stress on your battery, plugs, and wires. Be sure to test and replace weak car batteries, plugs, and wires. Average life span of a these items is around three years. Make sure your car battery connection is tight, clean, and corrosion free.
• Check the brakes! As mentioned earlier, brake fluid flush is recommended annually. After being used in harsh conditions such as snow, ice, and road salt, your entire brake system needs to be inspected. Have the lines, hoses, parking brake, brake pads, and fluid all checked to insure your brakes are in proper working order when you need them most.
•  Inspect the exhaust! Leaks in the exhaust system can be very dangerous. Inspect your exhaust system for leaks or damaged supports, and be sure to take notice of any unusual noise.
• Schedule a tune-up! We all know that gas prices are at all-time highs, so be sure to have an annual tune-up done on your vehicle to ensure that you are getting the best gas mileage possible.
• Check the tires! Check for proper tire pressure, and any bulges or bald spots. Uneven wear indicates the need for a wheel alignment. Try the penny test to see if your tire tread is worn and you are needing new tires!
• Check your ventilation system! There is no worse time to find out that your air conditioner needs work than in the middle of a hot, humid summer. Spring is the perfect time to ensure your heating A/C, and vents are all in perfect working order.
• Check the wipers & lighting!  Before the spring rains hit, make sure you replace worn wiper blades. Also check interior and exterior lighting to make sure everything is working properly.
• Clean your vehicle! Last but not least, give your vehicle the spring cleaning it deserves – inside and out! Road salt can cause corrosion to the undercarriage of your vehicle, and a good thorough cleaning at a car wash will do the trick.

Whether you want Star City Tire to check your oil, or to complete your whole spring cleaning checklist, we’ve got your back! Star City Tire also has name brand tires at the best prices in Roanoke, VA., including Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, and more! Visit Star City Tire today for all of your vehicle’s spring cleaning needs today!