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When the weather has warmed and you're finally out of the deep-freeze of winter, you welcome spring with open arms. With nicer temperatures and sunshine, this season is great for taking long leisurely drives. Unfortunately, your vehicle has run into some tough obstacles over the winter. Snow, salt, ice, dirt, and cold have wreaked havoc on your vehicle. So before you hit the road, follow these tips to prep your car for spring. more 1. Wash Your Car Your car is probably covered with harmful chemicals, salt, and dirt from winter, so it's time to wash off all these substances and bring the luster and shine back to your vehicle. However, running the car through an automatic car wash won't cut it. You need to wash your car by hand not only to make the car look its best but also to remove any substances that can cause corrosion. While you're at it, you may as well detail the interior to get the winter dirt and grime out of the vehicle and protect the dashboard and upholstery. 2. Change the Tires During winter, you need as much grip as you can get on roads, especially in inclement weather. That's why many drivers swap their all-season tires for winter tires. If this includes you, make sure to switch back to all-season tires or summer tires, which perform better under warmer conditions. 3. Inspect and Rotate Your Tires Winter driving can wear your tires more quickly than normal. As a result, you need to rotate the tires each spring or at least every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to ensure they wear evenly. You should also check the tire treads to make sure they aren't going bald. To do this, take a penny and stick it into the tread with Lincoln's head upside-down. If any of Honest Abe's head is covered, your tires are fine. But if you can see his entire head, it's time to purchase a new set of tires. 4. Replace the Windshield Wipers Although wipers are important during winter, the increase in spring showers necessitates that your windshield wiper blades are in top-notch condition. If you notice any rips or tears in your blades or that the wipers are ineffective on your windshield, replace them immediately. 5. Test Your Battery The average life of a car battery is four years, but because your battery works harder during the winter, it's a good idea to test your battery. Most auto parts stores will check your battery for free. If they find that your battery is on its last leg, you can buy a new one. In some cases, the auto parts store will also give you a few bucks to recycle your battery. In just a few easy steps, you can return your car to its former glory before winter took its toll. Once you've completed the checklist, your car will look great and will run just like it did when you drove it home for the first time. Image via Flickr by Nicholas_T

Having your car break down can be a frightening and nerve-wracking experience. To help alleviate some of that fear and get you back on the road as soon as possible, here is a step-by-step guide of what you should do in the event your car breaks down. 1. Always Be Prepared The most important step to take in handling a breakdown is being prepared. There are all sorts of problems a car can experience on the road from a blown out tire to the electrical system shorting out, and not taking proper precautions like having an emergency kit on board can make the experience much more harrowing. more Being prepared doesn't just stop with having an emergency kit in the trunk of your car. For instance, if you are planning a long trip then definitely have a mechanic perform an inspection prior to leaving. They will check the fluids, filters, lights, wipers, and other important things your car needs to run correctly. Another important component in being prepared is knowing what the road conditions will be like where you are driving. Check the weather ahead of time and make note of any emergency announcements that pertain to the route you intend to take. Knowing what to expect is one of the best tools for avoiding an untimely breakdown. 2. Maneuver out of Harm's Way The biggest danger for anyone who has the misfortune of their car breaking down is the traffic around them. This can be especially dangerous on crowded freeways or during rush hour traffic. The best thing to do if you're experiencing any sort of malfunction is to get out of the way of traffic. Depending on the situation, this can mean pulling off on the right shoulder, taking an off-ramp, or pulling into a median if necessary. Once you are safely pulled over, exit through whichever side is not facing traffic and find a safe place to stand while keeping some distance from your car. Make sure to keep your car's hazard lights on and set up reflective triangles or flares to alert other vehicles on the road. 3. Calling for Help Once the inevitable has happened, depending on the severity of the situation, you'll need to get in touch with emergency services or a tow truck. If you're not involved in an accident or in harm's way, then you will probably only need the help of a 24-hour emergency roadside assistance service. They can offer you a jump, change a tire, put some fuel in your tank, and perform other minimal services to get you back on the road. They also can tow your car to the nearest mechanic. If the circumstances of your breakdown are more severe then you may need to get in touch with emergency services. To help expedite the process, figure out your location and as many details as possible before calling 911. Your car breaking down can be anywhere from an annoyance to dangerous depending on the situation. That is why it is so important to be prepared for whatever circumstances you might find yourself in. Image via Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/rain-side-mirror-car-window-mirror-2511226/