Auto Maintenance: The Best Springtime Car Care Tips

Now that the weather is warming up, it is time to consider spring cleaning activities. Swap out cold-weather gear for warm-weather gear in the closet. Store sweaters and scarves to make room for windbreakers and sun hats. Even your car can benefit from a spring refresh. The following springtime car care tips will walk you through basic auto maintenance tasks like car fluids, battery care, tires, and much more. Let’s enter spring with a safe, clean, efficient vehicle ready for adventure.

What Is Auto Maintenance?

Auto maintenance includes tasks you do (or have a service center perform) regularly. Oil changes, wiper blade replacement, and checking tire air pressure are all considered routine auto maintenance. 

Springtime Car Care Tips

The following car care tips are specific to springtime because cold winter months can definitively affect these systems. Since auto manufacturers design vehicle models differently, read your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s unique details.

Check Car Fluids

Some vehicles in cold climates use heavier-weight oils, winter-blend coolant, and freeze-proof window washer fluids. Springtime car care is the time to flush those winter fluids and replace them with warmer-weather formulas. Remember to stick with only the factory-recommended brands and types of car fluids. Avoid mixing different formulas because chemical reactions can be catastrophic for your vehicle.

• Engine Oil: Remove the oil dipstick and wipe off the residue with a clean rag. Then, reinsert it all the way and remove it once again to read the oil level. The engine oil should be an amber to brown color and appear above the low or minimum indicator line. If the oil is low, add more. Schedule an oil change service if the engine oil is black or smells burnt.
• Radiator Coolant: Find your coolant reservoir and verify the fluid level falls between the minimum and maximum marks. If it is low, top it off with the same fluid type. If you are unsure, take your car in for service.
• Windshield Washer Fluid: Different windshield washer formulas cater to different needs and weather conditions. If you use a de-icing washer fluid during winter, now is a good time to flush the reservoir and refill it with an all-weather or water-repellant version for spring.

Inspect Car Battery

Cold weather is hard on a car battery, especially during start cycles. If your car battery died during the winter and required a jump, it may be time to replace it. A quick inspection, a little cleaning, and a battery recharge may get you through another year.

• Clean Corrosion
• Tighten Loose Cables
• Test Charge, Recharge, or Replace

Examine Tires

Your vehicle’s tires are a critical safety feature you should routinely inspect. Regularly checking your tires helps identify potential issues before they become safety hazards.

• Air Pressure: The air pressure in your tires can change with warming temperatures. Use a quality air pressure gauge and check the pressure in all four tires, plus the spare if you have one. Find the correct tire pressure in your owner’s manual and on the door jam sticker.
• Tire Tread Wear: Uneven tire tread wear can indicate suspension issues, misalignment, or unbalanced wheels. Schedule a tire service to find the cause and take corrective measures.
• Tire Age and Damages: Tire manufacturers estimate tire life to be 6-10 years. Once your tires reach 6 years of age, carefully inspect them every 3-4 months for cracks, bulges, and sidewall damage.
• Swap Winter Tires for All-Season: Winter tires perform poorly in hot conditions. Always swap out your cold-weather tires in the spring.

Replace Air Filters

Environmental factors can play a huge role in the service intervals for your vehicle’s air filters. Dust, pollen, and mold spores can quickly clog filters and affect vehicle performance and personal comfort.

• Engine Air Filter: The engine air filter under the hood cleans the air entering your engine compartment and protects its components from debris and dust.
• Cabin Air Filter: The cabin air filter is usually in the dash or glovebox and cleans the air moving through the vents into the car.

Car Wash & Wax

Exposure to dirt, road salt, bird droppings, bug residue, and UV rays wears down your vehicle’s paint over time. Properly washing the car is the only way to prevent this. Choose a car wash solution that will help protect your car’s finish. Once clean, give your car a good coat of car wax.

Clean & Organize Interior

Driving around with a loaded trunk or backseat reduces fuel economy. Spring is the perfect time to reorganize. Remove extra clothing items, toss garbage, and restock the facial tissue, napkins, and other frequently used items.

• Pack Away Winter Items: It’s time to store the ice scraper, kitty litter, sand, snow chains, and other winter-related items.
• Wash Interior Surfaces: Wipe away dust and grime with a soft cloth. Avoid cleaning solutions containing bleach, as they may harm the interior. 
• Clean The Windows: Use a streak-free window cleaner on all glass surfaces – inside and out. 
• Review Emergency Kit: Discard and replace expired medications, food, and beverage items. Replenish medical supplies, road safety equipment, and flashlight batteries.

Schedule Routine Auto Maintenance

At All A’s Auto Repair, you can expect outstanding service from certified technicians at a reasonable price. We offer complete automotive services for foreign and domestic automobiles, including tune-ups, seasonal inspections, and repairs. When your car needs service, our qualified technicians will resolve all issues quickly. 

Make A Springtime Car Care Appointment

Call All A’s Auto Repair for Springtime Car Care Maintenance to check car fluids, battery, and tires at (989) 631-4672 today or make an appointment online.