Winter is clearly over and now, it is time to take assessment. If you’ve hit potholes (in RVA? Naaa!), your tires have lost pressure. Your brakes may have accumulated road salt. Your alignment may not off after driving on icy roads. Here is your checklist for After-Winter-Care from Cutshaw Automotive:
 

• Don’t Wait on an Engine That Stalls - if your car is idling roughly when driving, or if it takes multiple attempts to get your vehicle started, it’s time to come see us! It may not be a serious issue - it could be a simple repair (ignition wires or dirty air filter, for instance)
• Get a Virginia State Inspection - even if it isn't time for a Virginia State Inspection, an overall inspection should be at the top of your spring car care to-do list.
  
• Test Your Lights - check bulbs, blinkers (part of the Virginia State Inspection)
• Replace Your Cabin Filter - prime time for allergies and your cabin filter could contribute to your sneezes! Your Cabin Filter can prevent allergens from getting trapped in the car. If you haven’t changed out your cabin filter in a while, you could be breathing in pollen, dirt and dust each time you hop in the car.
• Realign All Tires - rotate, balance and align for the best ride and mileage.
  
• Check Tire Pressure - potholes and wintry roads deplete tire pressure.
  
• Change Air Filters Now - this will help for when you use your Air Conditioner. We live in an area where spring weather can quickly switch from warm and temperate to hot and summer-like, so we need to test it now so you have plenty of time for A/C repairs, before it is really needed.
  
• Do an Exhaust System Analysis (also part of the Virginia State Inspection!)
  
• Replace Your Windshield Wiper Blades (yup, part of the Virginia State Inspection check)
  
• Refill Fluids
  
• Replace Plugs and Batteries
  
• Schedule an Oil Change
  
• Wash the Car (find one from your neighborhood kids!)
  
• Inspect for Paint Damage
  
• Gut the Inside of Your Car - winter makes us lazy about getting everything out of the car, so you've likely accumulated a bunch of stuff in the backseat and the trunk.
  
• Clean the Inside of the Car, Too (especially the Interior Air Vents!)
  
• Lastly, Remove Debris from the Engine- look under the hood for acorns, pine needles, and crunchy leaves. These can all prevent gaskets and drainage from working, well.
  
• Make Sure Drains Aren’t Clogged - particularly near the front doors  - if these get clogged, the next rainstorm could become quite messy, INSIDE your car.
  
• Revisit Your Insurance Policy
  
• Test All Belts for Slackness - even your seat belts!  
  

Now, you can relax and have a last-minute road trip with no worries! Thanks for checking in - we'll see you at Cutshaw Automotive!