Spring Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicle Safety Inspection

Our vehicles give us the freedom to travel to far off destinations, visit friends and family at a moments notice, and safely commute between work, stores, and family activities. Over time, parts on your car can wear out and require some attention.

At Kings Cross Automotive, we include a safety inspection with each appointment. When you come in for your oil change or any other routine maintenance appointment we will make sure that your vehicle is looked over for current concerns and any other concerns that we believe you should prepare for. Our goal is to keep you moving whether it is on or off road.

Oil Change (Psst- that includes the oil filter, friends!)

Oil and filters are extremely important aspects of your vehicle that you should regularly check up on. Each make and model of vehicle varies on the type of oil it needs and at what intervals the oil should be changed. If you are unsure about what oil services your vehicle needs; don’t worry! Give us a call and we can let you know what is recommended. In addition, we can even send you oil change reminders when your next oil change is due. Just ask your Service Advisor to get you set up to receive text and/or email reminders.

Brake Inspection (and Replacement as needed)

Let’s be honest, things happen in life where a great set of brakes is necessary. People race through traffic, cut us off while driving, and sometimes wildlife gets in the way. Oh, deer! Your safety is important to us and we want to make sure that you feel secure in your vehicle.

Not all brakes are created equal. Our Parts and Service departments are great at getting you the right brakes at the right price for your budget. They’re very knowledgeable about the quality of parts, pricing, and how to get you the parts you deserve.

Tire Inspection and Rotation

Tires are an important aspect to consider; our vehicles wouldn’t make it very far without them. Moreover, did you know that the condition of your tires can affect your miles per gallon? According to fueleconomy.gov, under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

We recommend that you occasionally have your tire pressure checked. This could mean that you purchase a tire gauge, use a tire pressure station at a gas station, or have us check it for you right in the service drive!

We also recommend tire rotation every 5,000 miles. This helps prevent uneven wear and gives them the longest life possible. Interested in learning how a tire rotation works? Click this link for a diagram! (https://bit.ly/3dPRYY1)

Check & Charge Air Conditioning

The weather has been getting sunnier and warmer as of late. You don’t want to start off summer without air conditioning. Next time you hop in your vehicle, take just a few moments to turn it on and make sure it’s working correctly. If it does not seem to be functioning the way it should, let us know. Our technicians will quickly diagnose and solve the problem. This way, you do not have to spend one hot summer day overheating- yuck!

Top Off Fluids

Speaking of warm weather- it’s crucial to make sure that your vehicle’s coolant level is properly full. This will help prevent your car from overheating. Your routine spring appointment is a great time to have your coolant level and all other fluid levels checked, topped off, or

changed. The complementary safety inspection we offer with our appointments includes checking fluid levels condition and making sure there are no leaks that could potentially become an issue on one of your spring or summer adventures.

Battery & Terminal Condition

Whether your battery is new or old, it is beneficial to make sure the battery terminals are not corroded. If they are, it is important to figure out what is causing the corrosion and have the terminals cleaned as soon as possible. Symptoms of corroded battery terminals include loss of electrical power and even difficulty starting the vehicle.

Do not attempt to clean the terminals on your own, unless you have the proper equipment. This is no joke, folks! We have the proper tools to make sure your battery terminals are as clean, are making good contact, and visually inspect the battery for signs of bulging or leaking.

Deep Clean Headlights (and replace bulbs as needed)

Driving in the rainy Pacific Northwest, you are bound to have an unexpected afternoon shower happen while driving in the spring. The last thing you want is to have your headlights not work properly! Overtime, your vehicle’s headlights can become foggy, misaligned, or have burnt out bulbs.

We can reposition your lights to shine directly ahead on the road, clear away the foggy film, and replace your bulbs. It’s always shocking when you see the difference after these things have been done. It’s like night and day- pun intended!

Cabin Air Filters

In general, cabin air filters should be replaced every 15,000-20,000 miles, or once a year. The role of the cabin air filter is to trap harmful pollutants and debris before they can enter your vehicle. This makes the air coming into the vehicle clean. The filter can become clogged overtime, and can give the car a bad smell. Turning on the heater or AC can make the smell even worse!

If your cabin air filter has not been changed in the last year, it is a good idea to at least have someone check it. At Kings Cross Automotive, we’ll make sure your cabin air filter is still filtering properly and only replace when necessary.