Staff Writer
With the calendar reminding us it’s April, and the weather at last becoming less harsh, spring fever is gradually over taking cabin fever. As springtime approaches, when over the last few months we all thought we might be just skipping it this year, thoughts turn toward cleaning out, putting crops and flowers in, fixing up and finally getting the seasonal decorations down. Throughout the sometime lengthy spring-cleaning process, the family vehicle is usually at the top of the list. There is just something about having the perfect mild spring day that encourages one to ignore all the grudge work details that must be faced, (like raking all the rocks off your front lawn or washing the walls inside) and tackle the car or truck.
After months of enduring extreme weather conditions most vehicle owners are eager to sort through all of the extra gloves, mittens, jackets, hats and boots and even socks that found their way into the vehicle. It’s amazing that these items often suffer the same fate as socks in a washing machine; all too often there is only one of the pair to be found.
In cleaning out a vehicle it is often like going on a treasure hunt, one never realizes how many receipts, coins, pen caps, Lifesavers, water bottles, and coffee cups will actually fit under a vehicle seat. More often than not the Lifesavers or gum are identified easiest, as they usually are stuck to a minute piece of Kleenex.
Once the dumpster has been filled, the inside vacuumed, the mats cleaned and the fingerprints washed off the windows, it is time to do the springtime vehicle checklist.
Dale St. Peter, of Leo and Son’s in Caribou reminds owners that snow tires must be removed from all vehicles by May 1. “Do yourself a favor, make sure you change them over. The fines are pretty steep if you get stopped for failure to do this.”
St.Peter recommends all vehicles should have an oil change during this seasonal change and to make sure the brakes are checked. “A lot of people hear noises when applying their brakes during the winter and assume that its just snow or ice caught up underneath, but a lot of times it really is a brake problem.”
Along with the usual overall springtime tune up suggested, which would include oil change, checking the brakes and fluids, St. Peter reminds vehicle operators to have their tires aligned and a general car wash to clean the undercarriage.
If you have luck like mine; it’s probably also a good idea to check your registration and inspection sticker.
