When the weather starts to shift, the sun shines brighter, the temperatures increase, and the nights feel less chilly. This is how we know spring has officially sprung! And, when it comes to spring-cleaning, it’s easy to think about dusting and mopping, putting away your winter clothes and giving your lawn its first mow of the season. But, what about your car? It could use a little spring-cleaning too.
What’s the best way to get your ride ready for windows-down driving?
Well, we’ll tell you! Here are some tips for getting your vehicle in tip-top shape for warm weather:
Spring-Cleaning: Your house isn’t the only thing that needs a good scrub down. Get rid of all the dirt and winter weather residue that can build up on your car from snow, mud, road salt and more. Don’t forget the inside too.
Tire Check: Outside temperatures can fluctuate significantly during the seasons, and with that the need to add air to your tires is common. Now that the temperatures are increasing, make sure your tire pressure is adjusted, and the extra air you added during the winter hasn’t over-inflated your tires for the warmer weather. This can cause increased, unnecessary wear on your tires.
Check Your Fluid Levels: As needed, top off the coolant, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid and oil to make sure your vehicle is ready to handle the increase in outdoor temperatures.
Swap That Air Filter: Don’t forget about your air filter. Just like you routinely replace the air filter in your home, you also need to do this for your vehicle. Through visual inspection, if the filter looks dirty, replace it. It’ll help keep your vehicle running at top efficiency.
New Wiper Blades: You know the phrase, “April showers…” Now is the time to replace your wiper blades for the rainy season. Snow and ice can wreak havoc on your wiper blades, so making it a habit to switch them out once a year is a great maintenance plan.
Vehicle Emergency Kit Refresh: If you carry an emergency kit in your vehicle (and we hope that you do), now is the time to make sure your extra winter items, like a spare hat and gloves, are swapped out for warmer weather items, like a raincoat or umbrella. Check your perishable items, like batteries, bottled water or food, and replace everything that has expired.
Alignment Check: The winter months really beat up the roads, creating more debris, potholes and hazards that can impact your vehicle’s alignment. Misalignment can cause a lot of extra wear and tear on your vehicle, including your tires and suspension. If you notice your vehicle pulling more to one side, this could indicate that your vehicle needs an alignment. Another tip, while your car is in for an alignment, get your tires rotated as well!
Now that you’ve tackled your vehicle’s spring-cleaning check list, get ready to hit the road and enjoy the sunshine!
