BCAA

iStock spring 2015 bca a .com 17 toolkit roadside TUNE-UP TIME Get your car set for warmer weather but keep in mind which steps are best left to the pros BY Benjamin Yong T he snow is melting around the province and the sun is slowly making a reappearance – it's time to say goodbye to winter and perform a tune-up on your vehicle. But how do you know which items you can tackle yourself and which should be left to a professional? We answer those questions in our springtime maintenance guide. BCAA Members save 10% on parts and labour, get a free car wash and a two-year warranty at BCAA's first-ever Auto Service Centre, open now in Kelowna (250-979-4950).* Or, need supplies for your DIY maintenance? BCAA Members save 10% on the retail price of selected parts and accessories at participating NAPA Auto Parts locations in Canada. *Terms and conditions apply. See in store for details. MEMBERS SAVE! Spring may have sprung, but the remnants of winter are probably still clinging to the body panels of your vehicle. Break out the pail and sponge and give the exterior a good once (or twice) over, including washing off any road salt from the underside. Don't forget about the interior – clean up any food, wrappers or other trash then vacuum the upholstery and carpets. For both safety and fuel economy, your tire pressure should be checked regularly – an easy step to do yourself. Just grab a tire pressure gauge and fill any deflated tires back up to the numbers recommended in your vehicle's manual, printed on the doorjamb or on the tire itself. This is especially important if you're reinstalling summer wheels and tires that have been sitting in the garage for a few months. Filling your tires to the recommended maximum tire pressure leads to less rolling resistance and better fuel economy. detailing (dIY ) tire preSSure (dIY ) after a long season of driving, full of drastic temperature fluctuations, your engine oil has been through a lot and will be long overdue for a change. If it isn't changed soon, the old oil will degrade causing build-ups that can clog your engine. Having your oil changed regularly by a pro is a small price to pay now to prevent a hefty repair bill later. things may look fine in the engine bay, but winter can take its toll on integral parts that had to work overtime, such as the battery and washer fluid. It pays to visit one of BCAA's Approved Auto Repair Service facilities to make sure everything under the hood is working as it should, rather than risk a breakdown while you're on the road. Ask the service centre to top up all fluids, too. oil change (pro) under-hood inSpection (pro) BrakeS and SuSpenSion (pro) continually slowing down in rain, snow and ice can wear down brake parts more than you might think. A trained auto technician will be able to tell you the status of the brake system's components. The same goes for the suspension and alignment that may have been knocked slightly out of whack after you drove over that tenth pothole. For a quick visual check of your suspension, examine your tires – if you notice uneven wear from side to side, there may be a problem with your suspension. n

• Cover