Keeping your car in good shape not only helps you preserve its value for some time down the road when you’re ready to trade it in, but it also makes the car more enjoyable to drive in the moment. During the cold days of winter, it’s natural to let some things slide; there’s no point in washing your vehicle when the forecast calls for rain or snow tomorrow—and when straightening up the interior means standing in your driveway in freezing temperatures, it’s fair enough to put the process off for a while.
But once the last frost has come and gone and spring is in the air, it’s time to give your car a good spring cleaning and take care of some other maintenance tasks while you’re at it. If you’re not sure what that should entail, read on to learn more.
Wash the Exterior
Now that the water isn’t going to freeze on your windshield the second it’s left the hose, you can easily give your car a good wash. Whether you’re doing this yourself or going to a professional service, make sure you get the underside of your vehicle well attended to. Road salts can wreak havoc on metal components and you don’t want them rusting away. This will be easier if you’ve been getting regular car washes throughout the winter, but catching up in the spring is far better than ignoring it altogether. If you are DIY-ing this step, you can put a 50/50 mix of warm water and vinegar into a spray bottle to help you effectively banish this winter blight.
Swap Out Your Snow Tires
Snow tires are great for winter weather, but keeping them on during warmer months is a bad idea. They’ll wear down quickly on dry paved roads, and you’ll be dealing with worse performance everywhere you go. Before you put on an old set of all-season tires, make sure they have enough tread left. If they’re too worn out, you can buy a set of new tires and be ready to go. You can also check your winter tires as you’re taking them off. If they’ve got enough life left in them, store them for next year. If not, now is a great time to buy off-season and get a great bargain.
Are you lucky enough to live in a climate where snow tires aren’t necessary? You can still check for wear and rotate the tires if necessary. It’s also a good idea to check the tire pressure on all of your tires, including the spare if you have one.
Inspect Your Wipers
While we’re replacing parts, it’s a good time to take a look at your wiper blades. Operating during icy weather can be tough on them, so there’s a good chance they’ll be due for a replacement. Nicks and cuts along the edges can leave streaks on your windshield and compromise visibility. It’s better to take care of it before the April showers begin than to be caught unaware during the first big downpour of spring.
Catch Up on Maintenance
It’s a good idea to check in regularly on certain parts and systems of your vehicle. The start of spring can be a great reminder to look at them and perform any necessary maintenance or repairs. You can either do this yourself or take your vehicle into a service center for a multi-point inspection, which should give you a great idea of the current state of your car’s health.
Temperature fluctuations can be hard on tubes, so it’s not a bad idea to check your fluids, like engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. If they’re running low, you should check for a leak and fix anything you find. You also want to check the condition of these fluids to make sure they still have the proper viscosity and aren’t too contaminated with debris. If any of them are in poor condition, you can flush out the system and refill it with fresh fluid (and make sure to check your owner’s manual for the proper type before you do). This is also a great time to check your windshield wiper fluid and top it off if it’s running low.
While you’re changing your tires, you can check your brakes to make sure they’re ready for the higher temperatures of spring and summer. Make sure that your rotors aren’t gouged and that your brake pads are still thick enough to do their job well. If you see any issues, get your rotors resurfaced or replaced and/or switch out your worn brake pads for new ones.
You should also make sure that your electrical systems are all running smoothly. Grab a friend to help you check your headlights, brake lights, emergency lights, and turn signals to make sure that they’re still acting normally. Even if it’s not too warm yet, check to make sure the air conditioning is running cold. It’s better to find a problem now than during a heat wave.
Restock Emergency Supplies
Once the weather gets nice, plenty of drivers are ready to take longer drives to visit friends and family, go to fun events, and see places that are outside their usual driving radius. Road trips can be a lot of fun, but it pays to be prepared in case of an emergency. Make sure you know where your spare tire is and that you have a jack that’s in good working order. You should also be sure that you have a pair of jumper cables on hand, in case you have a battery problem far from home. On top of that, keep some cones or flares on hand so that you can signal to other cars on the road (especially on the highway) that they need to give you space while you change a tire or get a jump start on the shoulder.
Of course, you should be ready for human trouble in addition to car trouble. Keeping a first aid kit on hand is always smart, and spring is a great time to check the expiration dates on everything and replace whatever has gone bad. Snacks that stay good for a long time, like nuts and granola bars, are also helpful to have on hand, along with plenty of drinking water.
Tidy the Interior
Last, but not least, let’s get to the real “spring cleaning” part of this exercise: tidying up the interior. Start by clearing away any fast food wrappers and other trash that has been piling up over the winter. If this has gotten out of hand, you can consider getting a dedicated trash can for your vehicle to keep it contained in the future. Vacuum the interior to clear out crumbs, salt, and other debris. (If you don’t have a good home setup for this, there are plenty of car washes with affordable self-service vacuum stations.) You can stop there if you’re happy or get the cabin fully detailed for a more thorough fresh start.
Roll Into Spring Ready for Anything
Once you’ve cleaned your vehicle and caught up on its maintenance, you’re ready to roll into spring. Whatever comes your way over the next several months, from errands to road trips, you’ll be prepared. Take the time to do this process every year, and you’ll be rewarded with a vehicle that continues to look great and run well for miles and miles to come.