Tips to Get your Car Ready for Spring

Winter can be rough on your car with all of the salt and grime that accumulate over months of dealing with snow and cold temperatures. Luckily, with spring arriving it is time to wipe winter away for good and get your car ready for the sunny days ahead. Not sure exactly where to start? Here are a few tips to get your car in tip top shape for the warmer day ahead.

Experts recommend starting inside the car and being active with important aspects of the car. It is important that you, as the owner, know what is going on with your vehicle and that it is running in top performance to get you from point A to point B.

Starting with changing the oil and checking the oil filter might be a good start. It is already recommended in the owner’s manual, and it’s the best way to keep your engine running trouble free. Neglecting to do this can result in poor engine performance, possibly high fuel consumption, and even engine damage. Be sure to check your oil before taking any long trips.

While checking the oil, also check your fluids under the hood. Check your power steering brake, and transmission fluids, windshield washer fluid, and coolant. Top off any low levels as needed. Some low levels may indicate a leak that might need to be checked by a dealership or mechanic as soon as possible.

Replace your wiper blades. If they’re torn or cracked they obviously won’t do much to help you. Having a cracked windshield could be the result of thrown rocks, or other debris typically found on the road or on construction sites. You might not know that any damage to your windshield can decrease the overall effectiveness of not only the windshield, but also the airbags, seatbelts, and roof stability. These could be a hazard to your personal safety if you are not careful.

Don’t forget to check those tires. Your tires are your main contact between yourself and the road. Check the pressure of all your tires (including the spare that you hope you never have to use). Also, maintain optimal pressure as recommended. Experts recommend checking the tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts or bruises on the sidewalls.

Now that all of that is taken care of, it is time to make the car shine. Washing and waxing your car is just as important as any other aspect of taking care of your vehicle. This will especially help with getting rid of the wear of winter. Allowing debris and grime to accumulate can result in rush and can affect the paint finish on the car. Salt is particularly damaging.

It is also important to take the time to clean the inside of your car. Remove and throw away all interior papers and trash and other items that you might have allowed to stay over the long winter months. In addition to this being a quality of life improvement, trash can attract pests. Follow these tips and more to make sure that your ride is ready for those warm summer days and long road trips. You never know how much you might save yourself by being active about the needs of your vehicle.