When it comes to maintaining your Kia, there are many exterior components that you’ll want inspected for spring. Wondering which ones are at the top of the list? Here are six that you should never neglect as springtime rolls around.
The Tires
Changing temperatures can cause your tires to lose pressure easily, so they should always be inspected after winter. Keep in mind: Under-inflated tires don’t perform as well as properly inflated ones and are very dangerous. The tire tread should also be inspected for wear, bulging, and bald spots. These conditions may signal the need for a tire rotation, wheel alignment, or tire replacement service.
If you’re curious about the condition of your tires, an easy way to test tread depth is by doing the Abe Lincoln Penny Test. Simply stick a penny into the tread of a tire. If the top of Lincoln’s head shows, your tires are worn and may need replacement. To confirm, always check with an automotive professional.
The Windshield Wipers
Chilly winter weather can do a number on windshield wipers and cause them to lose their effectiveness. If you notice that your windshield wipers are cracked, torn, cut, chattering, or streaking you’ll want to have them replaced in time for spring and summer showers. If you do need new wipers, you can select ones that are optimized for warm weather conditions. This would also a great time to have your windshield washer fluid topped off.
The Paint
As the seasons change you may notice minor scratches, dings, or chips in your Kia’s paint. If you do, be sure to have the damaged areas touched up and repaired. The spring is also a good time to have the exterior of your Kia thoroughly washed and waxed. This will not only make your car sparkle, but will also seal in the shine, protect the finish, and make future washes easier.
The Shocks and Struts
Although the shocks and struts are located underneath the vehicle, it’s still just as important that they be inspected for spring. During the check, these components should be examined for leaking, rusting, dents, or any other signs of physical damage. If your vehicle rolls or sways when turning, sits lower in the front or rear, loses control on a sudden stop, bounces or slides sideways on windy roads, or the front end or back-end dips when braking, the shocks and struts may need replacement.
The Undercarriage
In fact, inspecting the entire undercarriage of your vehicle in preparation for spring is very important. If you live in a cold climate, road salt can get stuck to the undercarriage, corrode the metal, and cause rust to form. This is most likely to affect the exhaust system, muffler, coil springs, and hydraulic brake system.
If you don’t live in a cold climate but do live near the ocean, your vehicle’s undercarriage may be at similar risk due to salt water, so you should still make it a point to have the undercarriage inspected.
Ensure that your Kia stays in tip-top shape by having the tires, windshield wipers, paint, shocks and struts, and undercarriage inspected for spring.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.