It’s the tail end of winter, and you just can’t wait for the heaps of sunshine in the spring. While you’re ready to get out and savour the fresh breeze, your car begs for attention.
You checked all the boxes for the pre-winter maintenance, but the frigid temperature and snow took a heavy toll on your vehicle. Don’t take your car out for a long drive without an inspection.
Prepping your car for spring isn’t as tedious compared to pre-winter maintenance, but there are things you can’t afford to miss.
1 – Mind the wiper blades.
The frigid winter is your wipers’ biggest enemy. Even if you don’t notice anything wrong with the wiper blades, replace them if there are streaks on the windshield.
The last thing you want is for the wiper to peel off while you’re driving in the rain. Replacing the wiper blades is one of the few maintenance jobs you can do on your own. Be sure to read the owner’s manual for your vehicle before buying new wiper blades since they come in different sizes.
2 – Have your tires checked.
You think that all-season tires are good enough regardless of the climate, but they aren’t as dependable in the winter as snow tires. Whatever the brand, all-season tires stiffen in frigid temperatures, which causes cracks and irreparable damage.
Go to your trusted auto service shop to have your tires checked. The inspection is worth it even if they turn out to be in excellent condition because you get to have the tires rotated and the air pressure checked. Spring brings rain, so your tires must be geared up for slippery roads.
3 – Check the brakes, too.
A grinding sound when you engage the brakes is a telltale sign that you need to replace them. But don’t wait for it before you go to an auto repair service to have them checked. Wet road conditions as the snow melts combined with rain in the spring will cause added wear to the car’s braking system.
The first thing you must do before heading out for a long drive is to get a free brake inspection – it’s the most convenient way to figure out if a replacement is in order.
4 – Wash the underbody.
We all love a shiny and squeaky-clean car, appearing lustrous under the spring sun, but there’s more to washing than aesthetics.
Pay attention to the underbody because this is where salt builds up. The roads are riddled with salt after the winter, which doesn’t do any good to the underbody. A thorough wash gets the job done – if you don’t have a power or pressure washer at home, head to the nearest carwash.
5 – Pay for an oil change.
If you opted to use thinner engine oil during the pre-winter maintenance of your vehicle, it’s time to replace it with a thick variant.
Thinner oil makes sense in freezing weather because it has better flow. Oil circulation is hampered under frigid temperatures. But with spring on the horizon, the warm weather means getting rid of the thin oil and replacing it with better-performing standard engine oil. See to it that the engine and oil filters are replaced, too.
6 – Inspect the car’s AC system.
Now is the time to have the air conditioning system checked, especially if you failed to turn it on for the entirety of the winter.
Countless car owners make the mistake of letting the AC sit idle for a couple of months, thinking that there’s no use for it in freezing temperatures.
Even in winter, the AC must be turned out and kept running for about 10 minutes to keep the “juice” flowing. You never want to find out that your AC isn’t working when you need it the most.
7 – Check the cabin filter.
It’s common for the cabin to emit a weird smell after the winter. No matter how many deodorizers and fresheners you use, it just won’t go away.
The reason is that you need to replace the cabin air filter. As the name suggests, it filters the car's air, keeping dirt, dust, and odour at bay. The air filter itself gets filthy over time, which is why you should replace it before temperatures go up in the spring and you’re forced to use the AC more often.
8 – Inspect the essential fluids.
Aside from the oil that lubricates and keeps the engine running smoothly, there are other fluids in your car that play indispensable roles.
Part of the spring prep routine is to check those fluids and find out if they’re either dirty or low. Dirty fluids, i.e., power steering, brake, transmission, and anti-freeze, could damage the car or compromise its performance.
If you’re low on any of those fluids, it could be a sign of a leak. Let a qualified auto mechanic inspect your car for leaks.
9 – Get your battery tested.
Your car won’t start without the battery. If you’ve been jump-starting the car a lot during the winter, it means it’s about to fail.
You don’t want that to happen when you’re in a hurry. Before spring arrives, go to an auto care shop and get free battery testing. The test reveals if you need a new battery.
Warm weather is upon us, so keep your car in the best possible condition for stress-free driving. It’s been through a lot in the winter - don’t wait for it to break down in the middle of the road before you decide to take it to the shop.
Preparing your vehicle for spring takes effort and time, but that’s nothing compared to the weight of expensive repairs.
If you need your car or truck detailed please don’t hesitate to give Tiago’s Auto Spa a call.