Old Man Winter is in the Rearview Mirror

According to an article written by Bob Hart of autoweek.com, if you live in a place where snow falls and you fit your ride with snow tires, now's the time to switch back. We highly recommend snow tires and sometimes refer to all-season tires--those with the M+S markings on the sidewalls--as "no-season tires." They are a compromise, for sure, and do serve their purpose for much of the country. But if snow where you live is measured in feet, then snow tires are the better option.

As spring approaches, change to summer tires--or all-seasons--being sure to fill them to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.

Now, let's look under the hood. Yes, you will have to open the hood. Go ahead, do it; it's not going to bite you. Reach under the dash on the left-hand side, and pull that lever way down under there. Then release the secondary catch at the front of the hood, and raise the big piece of sheet steel that covers the engine.

You might want to refer to your owner's manual. It will tell you where the various fluid bottles are. Each bottle usually has a dipstick or a fill line. These should all be tended to when you take your car in for service, but you can keep an eye on them in between, too. If your winters are anything like ours in Detroit, you will use a lot of windshield-washer fluid. It's important to see clearly through the windshield, so check this one regularly.

Check the belts and hoses while you're under the hood, too. Pull on the belts, and if they feel loose, it would be wise to have them checked at your service shop or dealership. When the engine is warm, not hot, a gentle squeeze of the radiator hoses can give you an indication of whether a hose might need replacing. Obviously, if there's a leak somewhere or you smell coolant, you should have the cooling system checked out. An overly soft hose is a sign that you should replace it.

Also check the windshield-wiper blades. Snow and ice are hard on blades, and it's a good idea to swap them out before the spring and summer rainstorms. Most cars have specific-sized blades, so be sure to get the correct ones for your car. One-size-fits-all is not a good thing when it comes to wiper blades.

Taking a few minutes to bring your vehicle to your closest West Side Tire & Service location can keep you on the road all spring long.  Visit westsidetireservice.com for more information.