Get your car ready to roll

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Winter may have been milder in Aroostook County as far as home heating went, but it probably took a toll on your car. And, that could have ramifications for safety. A spring checkup for your car is similar to going to your doctor’s office for a physical. A mechanic’s inspection can reveal hidden and obvious damage from cold temperatures, snow, ice, road salt and chemicals, potholes and freeze-thaw cycles that your car has contended with over the last few months.
Look at brakes
    “Basically, you want to put the car up in the air on a lift and look at all the brake lines since the calcium and the salt eats away at brake lines. The last two years, the calcium has done an awful number on the undercarriage of the cars. It eats at them and rusts them away. They say it’s not harmful to the cars. But, we see a drastic change in cars in the last two years,” said Mike Kitchen, owner of R. Kitchen & Sons on Bangor Rd.
    Going through a carwash helps clean the undercarriage of salt and calcium, says Kitchen. “There is nothing wrong with that. It’s a good idea to do it. The more you can do it the better.” But, still have a trusted mechanic to check those brake lines now that winter is over.
Tires
    He pointed out other areas that need checking like your tires. “It won’t be long before studded snow tires have to be off. They have to be off by May 1.” Kitchen also said, “you should change your oil and have all your fluids checked. The better you maintain your car, the better life you get out of your car.”
    Rotating tires every other oil change, he said can help the life of the tires. “It can be expensive and money is tight. So, some people don’t have the money they used to have.” It’s also a good idea to check tires for the correct amount of air pressure, tread wear or damage and alignment.
    Another thought on tires — cold weather can reduce tire pressure. Make sure tires are properly inflated and consider keeping a tire pressure gauge in the glove box if you get a reading on the dashboard to check pressure. Under-inflated tires can reduce fuel economy and be a safety hazard.
Wipers, battery and more
    You may not give much thought to your windshield wipers. Some people use the same wipers year-round. But, Mike Kitchen says, the summer wipers “tend to clean the bugs and road grime off better. And additives to wiper fluid are helpful for cleaning off bugs.” Keep in mind that wipers improve visibility.
    A good mechanic will also check the battery, hoses, struts, shocks, coil springs, belts and hoses. Mike Kitchen gave a good tip in the event of a broken hose. “A bottle of water can come in very handy if you blow a hose. It can get you home or to a service station until it’s fixed.”
    Kitchen bought the repair service that bears the family name from his father, Robert, who retired Jan. 1. The elder Kitchen said he purchased the business in 1981 after working there for nine years. Another son, Bruce, also works at the service and repair center on a part-time basis. With winter behind, Bruce Kitchen said, “get the air conditioning checked before summer so it will be nice and cold.”
    And, he has something to say about keeping the car clean — “vacuum it. Some people do it every day. Sometimes we have to check controls, switches or heaters. And, it’s so bad I don’t want to get in the car because it’s so dirty. Keep ‘em clean. My truck is always clean. You could eat off the floor.”