Your car is a major investment, so you should do all you can to protect it. Once the snow is done, it’s important to do a deep cleaning of the outside — including the undercarriage — to remove winter salt buildup, which causes rust. You can usually tackle this yourself, but a few professional detailers can help as well. Once the car is clean, touch up any knicks in the paint and apply a good coat of wax.

Spring cleaning inside is equally vital. It’s important to replace the vehicle’s cabin air filter since it cleans the air you and your passengers are breathing. As we head into pollen season, a new filter will help keep the car’s cabin air clean, improve airflow and increase the efficiency of the heating and air conditioner

system.

A fuel system cleaning will clean any dirt and debris that has built up within the fuel system to help you maintain maximum gas mileage. This service should be left to a professional to handle.

Paula Rego, owner, Marx Auto Center, Dartmouth, MA

Most of our customers in the city use their cars more in spring and summer than the rest of the year. We recommend taking care of the following to avoid even the smallest problem that could affect your road trip.

Lube, oil and filter change – Have this done by a mechanic and not a quick lube facility. A “quick lube” facility is convenient, but at least once a year go to a full-service garage where a technician with more experience can inspect the car and notice any issues that could turn into bigger problems on the road.

Tires – Check the depth and condition of all four tires, as well as the spare. Winter driving can be brutal on your tires, and debris from the roadways can cause damage. Check the production dates on your tires; most manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are eight years old, no matter what condition they are in. At the same time make sure the jack and lug wrench are in the car, and if your car has locked wheel lug nuts, make sure you have the key.

Wiper blades and washer fluid – Good wipers are important for safety, and washer fluid is essential.

Belts and hoses – During an oil change, a good mechanic should check all the rubber on the vehicle. Belts can split or crack and you don’t want to be stuck on the side of the highway with smoke steaming out of your hood.

Air and cabin filters – Air filters help your engine breathe, and the cabin filters help you and your passengers breathe. If you notice an unpleasant odor or airflow has decreased, consider replacing the cabin air filter, usually located behind the glovebox.

Maintenance schedule – Even though you might not have driven as much due to the pandemic, service intervals are suggested based on elapsed time as well as mileage. Make sure that you’re up to date.

Swap your emergency gear – Replace your snow brush and scraper with water and snacks. You should also have a blanket and flashlight, phone charger, flares or triangles. Make sure you have extra masks as well.

Floor mats – Remove rubber mats and put carpet mats back inside.

Sunglasses – Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses in the car to reduce glare in longer daytime hours.

Car wash – Last but not least, give the car a good cleaning inside and out to remove the dirt, salt and grime from the winter. Clean all the glass, including mirrors and headlights.

Kevin Wright, director of operations, 54th Street Auto, New York, NY

After being at home for months, it’s important to check a few key items to make sure you can travel

safely. I recommend looking at five key areas:

• Make sure your tires are in good shape and properly inflated.
• Ensure all your vital fluids are topped off.
• Check to make sure all your lights — exterior and interior — are working properly.
• Inspect your windshield wipers for cracks or splits and replace if needed.
• Rodents often seek shelter inside vehicles during colder months. Look for nests under the hood as well as the wheel well around the tires.

Doreen Albuquerque, owner, Dorman’s Auto Center, Pawtucket, RI

Here are a few car care tips we give all our customers.

1. Check your fluids. Engine oil, coolant, steering fluid, brake fluid and transmission fluid should all be checked and filled by a skilled technician. If you spot a leak, tell the mechanic what color the fluid is…this will help determine where the leak is coming from and can speed up the repair process.


2. Rainproof your windshield. You should replace your blades every three months, but cold weather can crack and damage the blades. We advise keeping a spare set in your trunk in case your blades fail while traveling. Use a glass coating water repellant to minimize the work the wipers have to do; in light rain, it makes the wipers almost unnecessary.
   


3. Rotate your tires. You can extend the life of your tires with regular rotations. Front and rear tires wear differently so a rotation can extend their life and save you money. Check your owner’s manual for a recommendation on how often to rotate. With the tires off, this is also a great time to inspect the brakes for wear.
   

Steven Alonso, general manager, Automotive Magic, Kenvil, NJ

If you have winter tires on your vehicle, it is time to replace them with your all-season or summer tires.

Examine your tires. If they’re wearing unevenly, you may need to get the wheels aligned. If you notice a vibration at highway speeds, have the tires inspected. If the tires are still in good condition, you may need to rebalance them.

Cold winter starts take a lot out of a car battery. Be sure to have it tested before the temperatures rise.  

Inspect the engine cooling system for proper operation. Antifreeze not only protects the engine from freezing, it also raises the boiling point of the coolant. A properly functioning cooling system will prevent overheating.

Check the air conditioner for proper operation now before the first hot day, when everyone else will need their air conditioner serviced!

John Paul, AAA “Car Doctor”, Providence, RI

Running this family-owned business for more than 30 years, Marc and Paul Rego believe much of their success comes from being involved in the community. “Every customer is like family, and every experience with us should be a good one,” says Marc. The business has grown with the times, growing from an auto parts store (Marxparts Unlimited) into a full-service repair facility. They sell used vehicles as well and are a NAPA AutoCare Center. The owners promote Automotive Service Excellence Certification (ASE) for their technicians, knowing future growth lies in developing the technical, management and product skills of their employees.

Marx Auto Center maintained satisfaction scores of 97.1 with members!

_{Marc and Paul Rego, owners of Marx Auto Center}

Tom and Carol Elliott have run the company since 1987 and joined AAA as an Approved Auto Repair facility in 2000. The shop has consistently provided world-class service, which is reflected in their scores. Danvers is always willing to provide AAA with support for their programs and is a great ambassador of the AAA brand and the motto “to help and serve our members.”

Offering a wide variety of services from their trained technicians, the shop has maintained member satisfaction scores of 94.7 this year!

_{Tom Elliott (left), owner, Arthur Hubbard (center), Manny Tamvaklis (right)}

Owned and operated by Sam Ellahi, Tire Tech has been an AAR for 9 of their 17 years in business. The shop provides multiple repair services and AAA roadside assistance. Ellahi and his staff have worked tirelessly to serve their community, especially during the Covid19 pandemic. When other shops had to close or reduce services, Tire Tech expanded their business hours, worked in the community to provide meals to families who couldn’t leave their homes, and supported and raised funds for animal organizations. “It’s not a business decision, it’s a community decision,” says Ellahi. “Our team feels connected to the entire community, whether they’re customers of ours or not.”

The customers certainly value the shop, giving them satisfaction scores of 92.3 for the year.

_{Chad Rison (left) and Jonathan Vasquez (right) keep Tire Tech on top.}

Guilford Texaco is no stranger to winning awards, having been honored with the top Gold Award as a national Service Provider of Excellence twice. Key to their success is communication, hard work and attention to detail. Owners Jim and Ernie Betulia ensure their customers have the best experience possible, from keeping them informed about their service to bringing them water during summer roadside calls. “Every member interaction is an opportunity for success,” says Ernie.

Guilford is making the most of those member interactions, garnering stratospheric member satisfaction scores of 98.3!

_{Brothers Jimmy (left) and Ernie Betulia (right) have owned Guilford Texaco for 18 years.}