Suggested Title Update: Spring Car Maintenance: 8 Tips to Prepare Your Car for Warm Weather
As winter fades and the days grow longer, it’s time to prepare for warm-weather adventures. Whether you’re planning a scenic road trip, gearing up for weekend getaways, or just continuing your daily commute, a well-maintained vehicle will keep you safe, improve efficiency, and enhance driving comfort. Here’s our vehicle maintenance checklist to get your car in great shape for spring and summer driving.
1. Start with an Oil Change
A fresh oil change after driving all winter is essential. Engine oil lubricates moving parts and helps prevent overheating, but cold weather can cause it to thicken and reduce its lubricating power.
At Strickland Brothers 10-Minute Oil Change, we make springtime oil changes easy with our 10-minute drive-thru oil change service – no appointment is ever needed.
2. Replace Filters and Fluids
Your vehicle’s filters help keep the engine and cabin clean. Be sure to check and replace your engine air filter, cabin air filter (especially if you suffer from seasonal allergies), fuel filter, and oil filter.
Additionally, check all fluids, including transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid, and top off or replace any that are low or dirty.
3. Inspect Tires and Alignment
Your tires can take a beating in the winter months due to ice and fluctuating temperatures. Inspect your tires for wear and tear, rotate them if needed, and ensure they are properly inflated to improve fuel efficiency and handling. Also, consider a tire alignment, as winter conditions can throw your wheels out of alignment.
4. Check the Battery
Cold weather can drain your battery, so it’s important to test your battery’s charge and inspect it for corrosion or loose connections. If your battery is more than three to five years old, it may be time to replace it.
5. Inspect Wiper Blades and Lights
Spring showers require effective wiper blades, so check for streaking or skipping and replace them if necessary to stay safe on the road during spring and summer storms.
6. Wash and Wax Your Car
Salt, grime, and road debris from winter driving can damage your car’s paint and undercarriage. Give your vehicle a thorough wash, paying special attention to the undercarriage where road salt accumulates. Apply a fresh coat of wax to help protect the paint from UV damage and rain in the coming months.
7. Clean and Organize the Interior
Declutter your car’s interior by removing trash, unnecessary items, and winter gear. Vacuum the carpets and seats, wipe down surfaces, and clean the windows inside and out. Consider using a protectant on your dashboard and seats to prevent sun damage.
8. Stock Up on Emergency Essentials
With road trips on the horizon, make sure your emergency kit is well-stocked. Essentials include a spare tire, jumper cables, a flashlight, a first aid kit, bottled water, and a few non-perishable snacks. You may also want to add towels, swimsuits, sunscreen, bug spray, and anything else you might need for summer adventures.
Remember: take the time to give your car a thorough spring cleaning and maintenance check and set yourself up for a season of smooth, worry-free driving! Stop by your local Strickland Brothers 10-Minute Oil Change today for a drive-thru spring oil change and 8-point courtesy check that includes lights, filters, fluid levels, tire pressure, wiper blades and more.
