All posts tagged spring auto maintenance

Winter driving is unlike any other kind of driving, so when spring rolls around, there are some things you need to do to make the transition go smoother for you and your car. Making this transition is easy, if you know what you are doing. Luckily, here are four suggestions to get your car ready for spring and warmer weather.

Clean Inside and Out

No other season is as tough on your car’s exterior and interior as the winter. If you live somewhere where it snows a lot, your car is bombarded not just with snow and ice, but all the salt and chemicals that get put down on the road to combat the snow and ice. At a minimum, you need to give your car’s undercarriage a thorough cleaning. It’s also a good idea to clean your floor mats and steam clean your car’s carpet to get the accumulated gunk out before it does permanent damage. You can easily do this yourself at a car wash or pay someone else to do it for you.

Get Your Car Professionally Serviced

Winter driving can deplete your car’s fluids and you might not be as vigilant about getting service done when the weather and the roads are bad. If you are overdue for an oil change, get in to get one at places like Dean’s Automotive Service Center as soon as you can. Also have your other fluids checked, especially your wiper fluid, which probably will be low after a winter of trying to keep your windshield clean. Spring is also a good time to get your A/C checked and your air filter replaced before it starts getting hot.

Check Your Tires

Cold air can cause your tires to lose air, so if you didn’t check them during the winter, spring is a good time to check your tires to make sure they have the right pressure. You should also check your tires for any damage or uneven wear. And if you use snow tires, you need to change them out for regular tires once you are sure there will be no more snowfalls.

Take Care of Your Windshield and Wipers

With all the sand and gravel on the roads during the winter, it’s easy for your windshield to get a small crack, so you should be sure to examine your windshield closely and have any dings you find repaired quickly. Getting this taken care of early will avoid necessary expensive replacement for cracked windshields. Winter can also be brutal on your windshield wipers, so spring can be a good time to change those out so you can be ready for spring rains.

Winter is rough on your car and the poor weather can also cause you to neglect important maintenance. That’s why it’s important to give your car extra attention and preparation once spring rolls around. Remember that these are just a few of the things you should do and each car can be a different so make sure to check and see what you need to do to yours this spring.