By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It’s the time of the year again when vehicle owners are looking to swap their winter tires and hit the open road. However, a simple tire change shouldn’t be the only spring maintenance you do on your car or truck.
According to Eddie Pinelli, owner of County Auto, Haliburton’s unique environment can be “terrible” on vehicles that require more than a quick rinse at the car wash.
“Our environment is terrible on cars. Believe it or not, there is granite in the dirt,” he explained to The Highlander. “There is granite dust, which is very hard, and it causes havoc with brakes and them sticking.”
The industry expert explained that the combination of salt, road sand, and gravel acts like a “sandblaster” on the bottom of vehicles, stripping away undercoatings. That’s why it’s a good idea to get underneath the car with a hose or a professional detailer to clear out the creases where salt and grit hide.
“It’s also a good idea to get the car undercoated if you’re going to keep it long term,” Pinelli said. “It’s a proven method. You know, a little bit of oil spray.”
When’s a good time to swap out the winter rubber? Typically, the industry standard is a consistent air temperature of 7 C. But Pinelli said that Haliburton drivers shouldn’t really stress over that seven-degree rule.
“The ground gets cold overnight,” he explained. “If it’s zero degrees at night and 10 degrees during the day, your tires aren’t going to go bald. Don’t wait for the rush.”
Pinelli said that while winter tires are made of a softer rubber that stays pliable in the cold, they won’t disintegrate the moment the sun comes out and suggests booking an appointment once the overnight freezes begin to taper off.
Another tip he provided for drivers is not to swap out washer fluid seasonally. While it’s tempting to buy cheaper “summer” washer fluid, Pinelli advises against it.
“I don’t recommend it,” he said. “In the summer, we use far less fluid. You’ll have summer fluid in the lines come fall, and when it drops below zero, your lines freeze.”
He suggested using -40 C fluid year-round to avoid a frozen system when the first frost hits in September.
As for other fluids under the hood, Pinelli urged caution regarding brake fluid.
“Brake fluid and transmission fluid are not interchangeable,” he said. “If you put any petroleum-based fluid in your brake reservoir, you’re going to lose your brakes and cause severe, costly damage.”
If you are not 100 per cent sure which cap is which, it might be best to leave it to the professionals, he said.
The auto shop owner suggested a few tasks for vehicle owners who might want to spend a Saturday in the driveway: Clean the carpets, as salt and sand act as abrasives that wear out your car’s interior fabric. Have a partner stand behind the car to check brake lights, or back up to a wall and look for the reflection in your mirrors. Inspect the wiper blades and replace them if there are streaks. If your vehicle smells a bit musty, it’s time to check the cabin air filter.
“If it’s dirty, change it,” Pinelli said. “A clean car runs better.”
