Soon enough, the temperatures will warm up, the snow will melt, and the weather will be perfect for spring and summer cruising. Before hitting the highway, though, your car needs some TLC. Winter weather, especially in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, wreaks havoc on vehicles. The right maintenance will resolve small issues before they become big problems and get your ride in tip-top shape for the warm months ahead.
As someone who’s lived in New England all my life, I know the toll the winter can take on a car, and I have a lot of experience getting mine ready for spring and summer. Here are some tips and suggestions for preparing any sedan, truck, coupe, or SUV.
Clean Your Car Inside and Out
Salt, mud, snow, ice buildup, chemicals, and other elements can leave a car looking ragged come spring, and it’s often more than a hard thunderstorm can wash away. Furthermore, this crud can cause damage, such as paint wear and rust, if left unattended. Visit a professional car wash or use proper cleaning soaps and tools to scrub the vehicle down at home. Don’t forget to rinse any salt residue off the undercarriage. To go the extra mile after it’s clean and dry, wax your vehicle to restore the shine fully and add a layer of protection against rain, UV rays, and stray debris.
The exterior isn’t the only thing that needs some springtime care. At the end of every winter, my car’s carpet and mats are covered with dirt, salt, and even papers that have gotten water damage from snow melting off the cleaning brush, all of which can degrade the interior materials. Cleaning the cabin out will help everything last longer and make the drive more comfortable.
Look for Paint and Glass Damage
Speaking of debris, there’s plenty that can scratch paint, chip glass, and crack trim throughout the winter. It’s a lot easier to miss this damage when a car is covered in snow, ice, and dirt, not to mention harder to repair in cold weather. During and after your cleaning, examine all surfaces closely for potential issues. If you find any problems, get them fixed as soon as possible, as waiting can lead to more damage that takes longer and costs more to repair. CheckEngine has articles available on DIY paint and windshield chip repair to help with these projects.
Test the Battery
Cold weather puts a lot of stress on your car’s electrical components, most of all the battery. Speaking from experience, when the temperature drops to single digits or lower, the battery must work a lot harder to start the vehicle. The abundance of snow and ice can also cause corrosion on the terminals. Conversely, if you seldom drive a car in winter or put it in storage, the battery charge may drain from lack of use.
Use a multimeter to test the battery at home. Some auto repair shops and parts stores offer free testing. Some low batteries can be restored using a battery charger/maintainer, but if the battery is at or past its recommended lifespan, you’re better off replacing it. Car batteries last anywhere from three to 10 years, depending on the design, so check the label for more information.
Change Your Tires and Check the Pressure
Many people in northern environments, including me, use separate winter tires and summer tires. The winter tires have more grip in snow and slush but wear out faster. As such, you need to change them so they don’t get torn apart by hot summer pavement. I typically change these tires two to three weeks after the last expected snowfall to give myself a buffer in case of any unexpected precipitation.
Whether you run separate tires or live in an area where all-season tires are enough, check the air pressure each spring, especially on older vehicles that don’t have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Even without a puncture, air slowly bleeds out over time, meaning a top-off may be necessary to prevent underinflation, which can cause everything from poor gas mileage to early blowouts.
Rotate the Tires
A car’s front tires wear out faster than the rear tires since they support the engine weight and handle more of the steering and braking loads. As such, most automakers recommend rotating the tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to even out the wear. Since the average American drives 14,489 miles per year, according to the most recent Department of Transportation National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), spring and fall are usually good times for this task. I do the rotation as part of my summer/winter tire change. The tires that were on the front the previous fall go on the rear in the spring and vice versa.
Check the Brakes and Suspension
While the tires are off the car, it is also a good time to inspect the brake system and suspension. You do a lot of hard, sustained braking on slippery winter roads, which wears down the pads. The extra moisture also makes rust more likely. Potholes hidden under the snow may damage shocks and struts. Replace any components that look like they need it so your car handles properly and has enough stopping power.
Replace Wiper Blades
As the proverb goes, April showers bring May flowers, and your windshield wipers need to be ready for those showers. Even the highest-quality wiper blades take quite a beating in the winter. Cold temperatures can make them stick to the windshield and or get brittle, and stray ice chunks or buildup on the windshield can tear pieces away. Changing to a fresh set of blades will give you the best visibility for the year ahead.
Check the Hoses and Belts
Many vehicle hoses and belts are made of rubber, which is susceptible to cracking, tearing, or becoming fragile in extreme cold. Inspect these parts for any signs of damage and replace them promptly if they are. Modern and high-end vehicles often use silicone for hoses and belts, which is more flexible and thus less likely to be affected by cold. Still, if you’re not sure what material yours are made of, inspect them anyway to be safe.
Consider Oil and Filter Changes
Every vehicle manufacturer has maintenance schedules for the oil, air filter, cabin filter, and other consumables in the service manual. That said, many of these items should be changed every six to 12 months regardless of mileage, making the spring a perfect time to do it. The hot summer temperatures are brutal on engine oil, so starting with fresh oil gives you the best protection. Fresh air and cabin filters block more dirt and help with spring allergy season.
Update the Emergency Kit
Finally, go over the car’s emergency kit to make sure it’s in order. While some items like jumper cables, first aid supplies, flashlights, and multi-tools are essential year-round, winter and summer emergency kits have key differences. A winter kit emphasizes warm clothes, blankets, and other ways to ward off the cold. Conversely, a spring/summer emergency kit should have things like allergy medicine, sunscreen, extra water, bug spray, and hats for the unique challenges of these seasons.
Prepare for a Great Driving Season
After a long, chilly winter where most driving is limited to work and errands, going on a sunny road trip is an exciting thought. Doing the necessary maintenance on a vehicle will help you get the most from spring and summer driving and be at less risk of unexpected breakdowns. Remember that preventative care is the best care for people or cars alike.