In Kansas City, MO, we contend with cold winters and hot summers. While this keeps things interesting, it does mean we need to stay on top of car maintenance each year, as the changing weather puts additional stress on our vehicles.
Auto Bank runs two of the most popular Kansas City buy here pay here car lots, so we know a thing or two about maintaining vehicles. As the spring season begins, we recommend performing some post-winter car maintenance tune-ups to get your vehicle ready for picnics, road trips, and summer fun.
Before we dive into the maintenance requirements of a used car, consider whether your vehicle is reliable and safe to drive. If it’s getting older and has significant mechanical problems, it may be a smarter idea to trade it in at a buy here pay here dealership and choose a more reliable used vehicle.
Snag the best auto sales prices, even if you have credit challenges, at Kansas City buy here pay here car lots, where you’re approved to buy a car as long as your income will cover the payment.
And once you have your new-to-you ride, follow these important maintenance tasks when winter ends in Kansas City.
Winter weather has a detrimental effect on car batteries, so now’s the time to get yours checked. You can perform some simple eyeballing to ensure the battery is well-mounted and the connections are secure.
Especially check for any corrosion, as this needs to be fixed right away. Remember that most cars will require a new battery every five or so years, and if you’ve been driving a lot you might need to change your battery more often. A reputable car lot in Kansas City will provide a new battery in their used cars; always ask when the battery was last replaced before making a purchase, so you have a baseline record.
If you’ve used winter or snow tires during the colder months, swap them out for all-season or summer tires when the snowfall is gone. Your tires are arguably the most important element to care about when it comes to the safety of your family on the road, as worn tires result in poor traction and can result in flats.
Check the air pressure of your tires and take a good look for cuts and bruises in the rubber. Winter roads can be pretty nasty to tires, so you might find a repair or replacement is in order. How long have you been driving on those tires? If you’ve done the suggested number of miles on this set of tires, it’s time to replace them for the new year ahead. At our buy here pay here car lot, we recommend checking the tire’s specifications and your car’s owner’s manual to learn more about tire requirements.
Check all the glass in your vehicle, paying particular attention to the windshield. It’s common for small cracks to appear in the winter because of loose debris and grit from salting and plowing roadways.
A broken windshield can affect your clarity of vision as you drive, so even a small crack should be quickly addressed. They inevitably lead to larger ones, so get your windshield repaired as soon as possible.
Cars require several fluids to keep them running at top performance while protecting the mechanical parts. It’s time to check your engine oil, windshield washer fluids, power steering fluid, brake oil, and coolant. Check your owner’s manual and previous maintenance records to see whether it's time to get your oil changed - usually every three months or 3,000 miles of driving.
If you notice any fluid level has gone down extra quickly this time, there may be a leak. Get your car checked out by a professional, or you’ll simply end up spending more on fluids and possibly damage the mechanics of your car because they’re not being adequately lubricated.
Windshield blades don’t last forever; you’ll need to change them occasionally. Check your windshield wipers now to see if the blades are worn or damaged; they usually are after a cold winter.
If they aren’t doing their job of keeping your vision clear when it rains or snows, you’re driving dangerously. Windshield wipers are relatively inexpensive to replace, so don’t skimp on this vital item.
When Kansas City drivers are asked “What’s the best buy here pay here near me?,” we’re confident they’ll respond, “Auto Bank!”
As one of the longest-running buy here pay here dealerships in Kansas City, MO, our inventory makes us the perfect spot for bargain auto sales in the city, even for those with lower-than-average credit scores.
And we have two locations for your convenience:
Browse our large inventory online now to find the perfect used vehicle for your 2023.