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Wintertime can be rough. Going outside can be unreasonably painful. You may have neglected to maintain your car during these cold times, praying that your auto would hold out until the springtime. If you haven't done maintenance on your car this spring, then you probably should hop to it.
Why this is Green
The funny thing about a carbon footprint is that a great deal of that footprint is already stamped into the dirt long before you even purchase the car. Metals have to mined, shipped, molded, assembled crafted, shipped some more, assembled, shipped, marketed, etc.
From: "The Verdict Is In: Keep Your Old Car Longer and Be Greener:"
| Before a new car has even been turned on, before it even leaves the showroom, it has already accounted for 6 tonnes of CO2 emissions just in the construction, delivery, and marketing." |
Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to keep your car running well for as long as possible, provided that it gets relatively decent mileage and isn't endangering the life of the passengers.
With that in mind, here a few tips for spring car maintenance:
Clean and Unload
Remove all the clutter from your car that may have accumulated over the holidays: Tire chains, old fruitcakes, unwanted gifts, etc. Unloading your car increases car longevity and improves gas mileage.
Also, if you've neglected to clean your car during the frigid winter, you will want to make sure to do so. That salt they put on roads during the winter can cause rust, so pay special to the underbody.
Check your Fluids
Check your car's owner manual. Make sure you've changed your oil and other fluids, especially your coolants.
Dealing With Spring Showers
Spring is considered the rainiest time of year. Make sure your windshield wipers are in proper working order. This is a matter of safety.
Preparing for the Hot Summer
If you have one of those windows that is stuck in the up position, it might be time to get that window fixed. The ability to roll down your windows will decrease your reliance on your car's air conditioning.
Tires
Heat causes most things to expand and cold causes most things to contract. (Water is the obvious exception.) With all this science affecting everything, it might be time to check your car's tires to make sure they are at the correct pressure. This will also improve your gas mileage.
Inspection
If you aren't car savvy or don't have a lot of time, it might be wise to get your car inspected after wintertime. If you are inspecting the car yourself, pay particular attention to the belts, brakes, hoses and suspension. (especially in pot-hole laden areas.)
More on Cars
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