Winter’s over (we think), and that means it’s time to give your vehicle a little spring cleaning—under the hood. From pothole season to pollen clouds, April brings its own automotive challenges. Here are five essential services to get your ride ready for warmer weather and weekend road trips.
1. Check Your A/C Before It Checks Out
It’s easy to forget about your air conditioning until the first 80-degree day hits—and by then, it’s too late. A/C systems can lose refrigerant over time or suffer from worn compressors and clogged filters.
At Differentials Plus, we can inspect your system, check refrigerant levels, and make sure you’re cruising cool before Chattanooga heats up.
📍 Pro tip: If your A/C smells funky or isn’t blowing cold in the first few minutes, it’s time for a check-up.
2. Inspect Belts & Hoses for Wear and Tear
Cold temperatures can be tough on rubber. As spring rolls around, belts and hoses that were borderline in the winter may start to crack, leak, or fail completely.
A broken serpentine belt or split coolant hose can leave you stranded—and nobody wants that on a sunny Saturday.
We’ll look for:
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Cracking or glazing on belts
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Bulging, brittle, or leaking hoses
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Proper tension and routing
3. Replace Wiper Blades & Top Off Washer Fluid
April showers might bring May flowers, but they also bring terrible visibility. Your wipers took a beating during the winter—ice buildup (twice this year winter!), and cold temps all take their toll.
If your blades streak, chatter, or miss spots, it’s time to swap them out. We’ll even install them free with any service over $100 this month.
Plus, we’ll top off your washer fluid and make sure your nozzles are aimed correctly—because spraying your hood isn’t helpful.
4. Brake System Check-Up
With generally rough roads and those surprise potholes, your brakes have worked overtime lately. Squeaking, grinding, or a squishy pedal are all red flags that should never be ignored.
Let our team check:
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Brake pad thickness
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Rotor condition
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Brake fluid level and quality
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Caliper performance
And hey—did you know April is a great time to take advantage of shorter wait times before the summer rush?
5. Tire Pressure & Alignment Check
Temperature swings in early spring can throw off your tire pressure by 1 PSI for every 10°F. Driving with under-inflated tires? That’s a fast track to poor fuel economy, uneven wear, and longer stopping distances.
Plus, potholes (a.k.a. Tennessee landmines) can knock your alignment out of spec in one solid hit.
Let us help with:
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Tire pressure and tread depth check
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Full alignment check and adjustment
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Tire rotation if needed
✅ Bonus: Seasonal Fluid Check
While you’re in, we’ll also check your coolant, transmission, and power steering fluids. Because your car deserves a spa day too.
📅 Book Your Spring Maintenance Check-Up Today
Don’t wait for a breakdown—or a family road trip gone wrong. Schedule your spring inspection at Differentials Plus and drive into the new season with confidence.
🔧 Call us at (423) 355-1872 or book online.
💡 Mention this blog and get 10% off A/C diagnostics through April 30!