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.
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
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