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Over the winter months, your car's exterior has been assaulted by snow, ice, salt and gravel while the interior has been bombarded by slush, gravel and mud. To get a clean start to the sunny days ahead, get your DIY detailing kit out (or head to your nearest car washing bay) and vacuum your floors, hose down your mats with a pressure washer, and use quality upholstery cleaners to clean the fabrics and carpet thoroughly.

Forgetting to swap your winter tires for your all-season tires is an easy mistake to make. Winter tires are specifically engineered for use at temperatures below 7°C. All-season and summer tires have a harder compound that gives their best grip at temperatures above 7°C and on warm, dry and mildly wet conditions. Winter tires will wear faster and more unevenly during warmer weather, have poor performance on dry pavement and reduce your fuel economy.

To check your tread depth, you can use a tire depth gauge or do the nickel test. Insert the coin with Queen Elizabeth's crown facing down. If you can see the top of the Queen's crown, your tire is below 2/32" and needs to be replaced.

Tire pressure can fluctuate in your all-season tires from the switch to warmer weather. Use a trusted tire pressure gauge and check your tire's pressure when your tires are "cold" - before you've driven or at least three hours after you've driven. Compare the measured psi to the psi found on the sticker inside the driver's door of your vehicle or in the owner's manual, not the maximum pressure embossed on the tire's sidewall. If your psi does not match the number, adjust it by either letting out air from or adding air to your tires or visit our service department so we can take care of it for you!

An oil and oil filter change at the intervals recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual is one of the best ways to keep your engine running trouble free. Neglecting to replace engine oil can result in poor engine performance, higher fuel consumption and even severe engine damage.

Come in to Strathmore Ford to get your oil change done by our Certified Ford technicians today!

There are a variety of fluids in your vehicle that keeps it running at an optimal level. Checking the levels of these fluids after a harsh winter is a good idea. Make sure your engine oil, refrigerant, coolant, windshield washer fluid, transmission, power steering and brake fluids are all at suggested levels. While most of these fluids can easily be checked and topped up at home, some fluids will need to get checked by a professional.

As the temperatures rise, you will be depending more and more on your vehicles A/C system. Air conditioning units should be serviced every three years or as needed. The most common cause of a malfunctioning air conditioning unit is a low level of refrigerant. Have a professional check your A/C unit for leaks and evaluate refrigerant levels.

After enduring an entire season of icy and slippery road conditions, your brakes may have experienced some wear and tear. The best way to see if there is a cause for concern or if your brakes need replacement is by hearing and looking. If you hear a metallic grinding, squeaking or squealing sounds, or feel vibrations and pulsations, get your vehicle into a service bay and have your brakes checked. Additionally, watch out for a soft brake pedal or any rusting or hot spots on the rotors. Lastly, if your car is pulling to one direction when braking, it could be indicative of a brake component failure.

Your wipers go through a beating during winter. If they're cracked or torn, they will not function well when summer throws bugs, rain, hail, leaves and whatever else Mother Nature has in store at your windshield. Get them replaced so you can clearly see the road ahead of you, no matter what the condition.

Cold temperatures are hard on your battery, so spring is the best time to get it tested. You should also check to see that the battery is securely mounted and that the connections are clean, tight and corrosion-free. If your battery is more than five years old, consider having it replaced.

Winter always means one thing: an abundance of gravel on the road. With gravel flying around the highway, you're lucky if you survived the season with your windshield chip and crack-free. Depending on the number and location of chips on your windshield, this can become a hazard while you're on the road

As temperatures climb, more and more local businesses will be offering windshield chip and crack repairs. Get your windshield repaired by a professional today.

Frigid temperatures can harden and/or damage rubber, so it's important to check your belts and hoses for any signs of wear and tear. Check your hoses for hardening, softening, leaking, cracks, blistering or other visual damage. Check your belts for looseness, cracks, frays, or glazing. Get them checked and replaced by a professional to avoid any mistakes.

Your vehicle has many filters that are critical to its longevity and optimal performance. At the turn of the season, check your engine and cabin filter to inspect for any damages or clogging and replace them if necessary. A dirty cabin air filter will not clean the dust, pollen, odours and other airborne material in the air that comes into the interior cabin of the vehicle as effectively, possibly aggravating any pre-existing respiratory problems or allergies. Changing your dirty engine filter will increase your fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and prolong engine life.

Spring and summer days don't require heavier mats with higher rims and ridges that are built to catch gravel, salt and melted snow. During warmer months, put your heavy-duty (and expensive) winter mats in storage to avoid unnecessary wear and tear and swap with summer mats that will be sufficient to protect your car's interior from sand and water.

Harsh winter driving conditions can cause havoc on your wheels as they endure bumpy roads and potholes. Get your wheel alignment checked by a professional auto technician. Improper alignment can cause premature tire wear, decrease fuel efficiency, and cause dangerous driving conditions that lead to expensive damage and repair in the future.

The trunk tends to act as a general storage facility housing everything from hockey gear to shovels, and any other winter items you'll no longer use. Clean out non-essentials and store them in your garage or home. Not only will it free up some room to store things you'll need in the summer, but it will also lighten the load, improving your vehicle's fuel economy rating.