Spring Car Maintenance Guide

Article summary

• Winter driving creates extra wear on your vehicle, making spring the perfect time to inspect essential components under the hood. You should check your battery for corrosion, replace dirty air filters and top off important fluids like engine oil, coolant and windshield washer fluid.
• Rough winter roads can severely damage your tires, suspension and brakes. Make sure to check your tire pressure, look for uneven tread wear and listen for squeaking or grinding noises that indicate you need a brake inspection.
• Protect your vehicle’s condition by giving it a thorough spring cleaning inside and out. Wash away corrosive road salt from the exterior, vacuum the cabin to remove trapped debris and replace cracked wiper blades to ensure clear visibility during spring showers.

The snow has stopped, the cold weather days are few and far between, and the birds are returning, signaling the onset of spring. Now that winter has faded, it’s time to see how your vehicle fared through the harsh weather and prepare it for sunnier days. In this spring car maintenance guide, you’ll learn why seasonal maintenance is essential. You’ll also find a helpful spring car maintenance checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything important along the way.

Why spring car maintenance matters

Winter driving can be tough on your vehicle, especially if you live in a state with harsh winter conditions. Cold temperatures, road salt and rough driving conditions can cause extra wear on important components like the battery, tires, fluids, filters and wiper blades. Road salt can lead to corrosion, while fluctuating temperatures may cause tire pressure problems and uneven tire wear. Here are some things to check before you hit the road this spring.

Check your cooling system

As the warm months roll in, you will want to make sure your vehicle’s engine stays cool in the summer heat. As part of your cooling system inspection, you should inspect the following:

• Check for radiator hose cracks or leaks.
• Tighten all of the connections properly
• Make sure coolant or anti-freeze is at least half full.

Check your vehicle battery

Winter temperatures can be hard on your battery. Cold weather can weaken battery performance and cause corrosion to build up on the terminals. Check under the hood for loose connections, rust or worn cables. If you see any corrosion on the terminals, be sure to clean them. Lastly, test the voltage; the last thing you need is to get stranded somewhere because your battery could no longer hold a charge.

Check and top off fluids

Your vehicle depends on several fluids for optimum performance. Be sure to check your engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and windshield washer fluid to make sure they are at the proper levels and aren’t dirty. If you notice they are running low, top them off. If they are dirty, it’s time to start fresh.

Check your air filter

Your engine air filter has had all winter to pick up dirt and debris. This will have a negative effect on your fuel economy and reduce engine performance. If your filter is clogged or dirty, it’s time to replace it.

Check your tires, alignment, suspension and brakes

Winter roads can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s wheels and suspension. There are a few different areas that should be inspected before spring. If you don’t, they could lead to significant problems and a rough ride.

• Tires – Your tires should be checked for uneven wear, low tire pressure or low tread. Cold snaps negatively impact tire pressure. If you drive too long on low tires, you will start to see and feel the effects.
• Alignment and Suspension – If you feel your tires are pulling to one side or notice strange vibrations, you may need an alignment, or your suspension may be on its way out.
• Brakes – If you hear grinding or squeaking sounds when braking, it would be wise to get a brake inspection. If you catch the issue in time, you may be able to get away with just replacing the pads. If you wait too long, you may need to change the rotors too, which will increase your costs.

Check your wiper blades

Winter weather can prematurely ruin your wiper blades, rendering them ineffective when the rains come. As you prepare for spring, check your wiper blades for cracks or tears. Another sure sign of a problem is streaking on your windshield. If you notice any of these issues, then it’s time to replace your windshield wipers. 

Spring spruce up

Lastly, this is a great opportunity to treat your vehicle to a little spring cleaning so that you enter into the next season looking fresh inside and out. Through the winter months, salt, moisture, mud and debris can build up everywhere from your carpets to your upholstery and your dash. Taking the time to clean your vehicle now can help prevent stains, odors and long-term damage.

• Exterior – Salt and sand can do some real damage to your paint if left unchecked. A good wash and polish will help protect the finish, prevent corrosion and give your vehicle a nice shine after the long winter months. Pay extra attention to the undercarriage, where road salt tends to collect.
• Interior – Your carpets are likely holding sand, salt, mud and other debris tracked in during the winter. A thorough vacuum and wipe-down of the seats, floor mats and dashboard will help keep the interior in good condition. Cleaning the inside of your vehicle not only makes it look better, but it also helps prevent wear and unpleasant odors.

With summer approaching fast, now’s the time to make sure your vehicle is road-ready for the next season. This will help your vehicle look and feel clean while helping its various components to last longer.