Spring checklist

[Flipit]

We're having a freezing snap this weekend, which makes me wonder if I have the right levels of antifreeze in the car. It's still mighty close to spring. What are specific things we should do as winter winds down and spring blows in as far as maintenance to our vehicle is concerned?

 

[Skippy]

I would think that it is just the regular maintenance that you do anyway-rotating the tires, cleaning the undercarriage, checking belts and tires, oil changes.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Flipit, you should buy yourself an inexpensive (about $2.00) coolant tester, the kind that looks like a medicine dropper with small, colored balls it. Take the cap off the radiator (when it's cool!), squeeze the bulb so that you can suction in some of the radiator fluid. Wait a few minutes and then see how many of those little plastic balls are floating. If I'm not mistaken, two or three floating balls means the coolant system is protected down to 0 F degrees, but it should say on the tester. If not, you'll need to add more coolant/antifreeze, after you drain out some of the old, diluted fluid.