Spring is Here! Spring Car Maintenance Tips

The cold air of winter is finally dissipating, and spring is on its way. Not only does this signify revival and restoration for nature,  🌷🍃 but it also means its time to prepare your car for the new season. Although spring is frequently connected with house cleaning, it is also an excellent time to focus on your vehicle. As you transition from winter to spring, regular, seasonal maintenance checkups will ensure that your vehicle will run at its best which will in turn save you money too!

Early spring is great for getting your car ready for long drives or that fantastic summer holiday that's just a few months away. So other than growing flowers and spring cleaning your home, it's crucial to give your vehicle some tender loving care. We've compiled spring car maintenance tips for you so you'll know where to begin!

Wash and Wax

After the winter's endless barrage of snow, slush, ice, and salt, give your car a thorough cleaning, particularly on the underside. During the winter, several places spread salt on the road to control ice and snow. But, as we all know, the longer the salt stays on your vehicle, the more likely it is to corrode and rust. 

For this reason, washing your car as soon as you can is vital. It's also a good idea to follow up with a little wax and polish on your vehicle. If necessary, rust-proof can also be used as a salt-busting shield. And don't forget to clean the inside of your car as well.

Repair Any Winter Driving Damage

Driving in the winter, with its slick roads and other difficult conditions, can be taxing on your vehicle. Snow and ice, road salt, and in the UK we suffer badly from potholes and the resulting damage they cause.The good news is that now that spring is here, you can repair any damage to the car and any mechanical issues that occurred during the winter. If you've encountered any issues on the road, (so many pot holes these days!) make sure to check the steering and suspension, as well as the wheel alignment. And check for any windscreen chips too. 

Clean Your Vehicle

This important car maintenance step is so much more than making your car look beautiful for spring driving. It's also about preserving the vehicle’s resale value. Minor dents and scratches on the surface, which attract costly and time-consuming rust, will be revealed by a thorough cleaning.

Check Your Car’s Fluids

Throughout the year, especially many times in the spring, you should check your car's fluids. Neglected fluids can lead to costly damage to your car. Mark a new season with fluid checks after the colder months, when basic maintenance is easy to ignore. You've probably used a lot of your windscreen wash so that is going to need a good top up!

And we're not just talking about engine oil—all of the under bonnet fluids should be checked. Check to see if your coolant, brake fluid, oil, and transmission fluid are all at their recommended levels. Your vehicle's fluids may also need to be checked from beneath the vehicle. You can complete that task yourself if you want. You may also take your car to a garage so a professional can do it for you if you are not sure how to do it.

Check Windscreen Wipers

Not only are your wiper blades most likely damaged from the cold season, but you'll still need new wiper blades for spring showers. April showers bring May flowers, as we've all heard. It rains a lot in the spring, as the famous rhyme suggests. 

Check your wiper blades are in good working condition. While you're at it, make sure to top up the wiper fluid. While you’re at it, check the voltage of the battery. Get a battery load test if possible to guarantee it not only made it through the winter and is also ready for next season.

Make Sure the AC Works

Unless you live in warm places, chances are you haven't turned on your car's air conditioning this winter. However, as most of us are aware, as the weather warms up, cool air conditioning will be essential. 

Engine performance will be significantly affected by a clogged air filter. Replacing your air filter is easy (takes approximately 5 minutes) and cheap. How crucial is this often-overlooked component? A clogged air filter can impair gas mileage by up to 10%. Before the first heatwave arrives, now is the time to double-check that everything is in functioning order.

Inspect Tyres and Other Components

Maintain the appropriate pressure range for your tyres, which is normally 30-32 psi. However, you should still double-check your tyres for specific requirements. Also, make sure your treads are in good shape, and if you’ve put snow tyres, remember to take them off and replace them with all-season tyres from spring to autumn. Belts and hoses can be damaged by the cold as well. Take a few minutes to inspect the whole of the under bonnet rubber parts to ensure they are in good working order.

Inspect All Car Lights

Unless a police officer pulls you over to inform you that your car has a broken light, many drivers are unaware that they have one. The spring season is ideal for inspecting all car lights for defects. As you conduct a visual check, have a family member turn headlights, taillights, fog lights, reverse lights, parking lights, brake lights, and indicators.

Takeaway

Winter can wreak havoc on cars, especially if you have been on a long drive like a road trip. Once the harshest months are over, it's time to undertake the annual routine of spring car inspection and maintenance to avoid unexpected repairs and expenses. If you don't inspect your vehicle following the spring thaw, small, concealed faults could turn into big, expensive ones. And if you need a bit of help and guidance, why not check out our blog on the best car maintenance apps.

Now that you've prepared your vehicle for spring, it's time to take advantage of the warm season and go for a drive in your spotless, well-kept vehicle. Put winter behind you and prepare for a new season of sunlight and blue skies!