Spring is here, and your car deserves the same fresh start you’re giving your home – discover the essential maintenance tasks that will keep you safely cruising through 2024!
As winter’s harsh grip finally loosens and temperatures begin to rise, it’s time to give your vehicle the attention it deserves after months of battling cold weather, road salt, and challenging driving conditions. There’s a reason April is National Car Care Month. After a season of cold temperatures, harsh weather, and maybe some road salt, your car needs a little extra care. This comprehensive spring service checklist will help ensure your vehicle is ready for the warmer months ahead and the adventures they bring.
Why Spring Car Maintenance Matters
A spring car maintenance checklist is important because it helps you address the wear and tear accumulated during the harsh winter months. Cold temperatures, snow, ice, and road salt can put significant stress on various parts of your car, such as tires, brakes, fluids, and the battery. Spring car maintenance gives you time to assess and address any damage or issues that may have come up, ensuring that your car operates safely and efficiently as temperatures begin to rise.
For example, road salt and de-icing chemicals used during winter can accelerate corrosion on metal parts of your vehicle, including the undercarriage, frame, and brake lines. Spring maintenance often involves thoroughly cleaning the exterior, including the undercarriage, and applying protective coatings to prevent further corrosion. Spring car maintenance also helps prevent breakdowns, improves overall performance, and extends the lifespan of your car!
Essential Spring Service Checklist for 2024
1. Oil and Filter Change
Schedule an oil change at the start of spring to help your engine purr all season long. Bitter winter weather is hard on your vehicle’s oil and filter. Cold temperatures can cause your oil to become thicker and flow slowly, putting a lot of stress on your engine. Once the chill leaves the air, it’s the perfect time to schedule an oil change to keep your engine purring like a spring kitten. Regular oil changes are essential for keeping your engine running smoothly. Spring is an excellent time to change your oil and replace the oil filter. Fresh oil lubricates engine components, reduces friction, and helps maintain engine longevity.
2. Battery Inspection and Testing
After winter, your car battery might be on its deathbed. Low temperatures forced your battery to work harder by slowing down its chemical reactions. Now, high temperatures are right around the corner, ready to evaporate essential battery fluids and speed up corrosion. There’s a chance that one hot day could leave your battery DOA. Avoid the inconvenience of a car that won’t start by getting your car battery tested and if necessary, replaced, before it’s too late. Heat is worse for a battery than freezing cold, so in hotter climates, batteries last between two and four years. Clean and tighten your battery terminals, and then have your battery load tested at your local garage to ensure it’s working properly. Most times, batteries don’t give you any notice; you’ll go out one morning, and the car won’t start.
3. Tire Inspection and Rotation
If you use winter tires, now is the time to switch back to their all-season counterparts. Winter tires use special tread patterns and unique chemical compounds to give you more control over your vehicle in wintry conditions. If you use winter tires in warmer weather, they’ll wear down faster and reduce your fuel efficiency. For every 10-degree cold shift in the air temperature, your tire pressure decreases by two percent. Check your owner’s manual to make sure the pressure readings match the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle.
Check your all-weather tires for tread wear or any signs of strain. Look for bulging in the sidewall, the inside and the outside of the tires. If you hit a pothole incorrectly, you could have caused damage to the structural parts of that tire, so see if there’s a bubble or a gash and if so, have that tire replaced. Inspect your tire rims to be sure they’re not bent or damaged from potholes or rust.
4. Air Filter Replacement
Throughout the year, dust and debris collects in your cabin air filter, causing clogs and even damage. A clogged or damaged air filter makes it easy for pollen and other spring allergens to circulate throughout your car. To keep clean air flowing through your vehicle and engine, be sure to replace your air filter this spring season. Dirty air filters can reduce your gas mileage by up to 10 percent: Grime stops air from getting into the combustion chamber, which then prevents the engine from running efficiently.
5. Windshield Wipers and Fluid
Wiper blades get a lot of work in the winter. By spring, they’re often worn out and in need of a change. If your wipers leave streaks or film on your windshield, or if they squeak, chatter, or skip spots on your glass, it means your blades are worn out. It’s also a good idea to visually inspect your wiper blades: if the blade frames are bent, or the rubber is frayed and worn, it’s time to replace them. Cold winter temperatures and road salt are rough on rubber compounds like windshield wipers. Spring is a good time to inspect and replace your wiper blades, if necessary. Be sure to check that your windshield wiper fluid is replenished, as well!
6. Fluid Level Checks
Your spring auto maintenance to-do list should also include checks of your engine coolant, transmission, brake, and power steering fluids. While the car is cool, open up your hood and check the engine oil, brake fluid, transmission, power steering and engine coolant levels. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for when to change those out and get those fluids topped off as necessary.
7. Brake System Inspection
Similar to your windshield wipers, brakes can take a beating during the winter months. Listen closely for any grinding, clanking, or squealing noises. Even if you don’t hear any noise, it’s recommended you take your vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection of the brake pads and drums on a regular basis.
8. Lights and Electrical Systems
Check all the lights on your vehicle, including headlights and high beams, turn signals, hazard lights, brake, and back-up lights. Replace any burnt out bulbs to make sure you can see where you are going in the dark and other drivers know your intentions. During the winter, long, dark days make your headlights and taillights work especially hard. Spring is an ideal time to check that every light on your vehicle is working as it should, inside and out.
Professional Spring Service in Clarke County
While many of these maintenance tasks can be performed by DIY enthusiasts, having a professional inspection ensures nothing is overlooked. For residents seeking comprehensive Auto Service Clarke County, Pro Transmissions in Athens, Georgia, offers expert spring maintenance services backed by decades of experience.
With a team of seven skilled technicians, including two Master Certified Technicians, we bring decades of combined experience to every job. Our commitment to quality is backed by industry-leading warranties on all our transmission rebuilds and general repairs. Pro Transmissions has been a cornerstone of the Athens, GA community for years. Our commitment to excellence in automotive repair has earned us a reputation as a trusted partner for motorists in Clarke County and beyond.
At Pro Transmissions, we are more than just a transmission shop. We are your neighbors, committed to keeping Clarke County moving. Our team values honesty, integrity, and exceptional service. We understand that car troubles can be stressful, which is why we strive to make your experience as smooth as possible.
Don’t Wait – Start Your Spring Maintenance Today
Wave goodbye to winter and prepare for safe, warm weather driving with this easy spring car maintenance checklist! Taking proactive steps now will help prevent costly breakdowns during the busy summer driving season and ensure your vehicle is ready for whatever adventures 2024 brings.
Remember, spring maintenance isn’t just about fixing problems – it’s about preventing them. By following this comprehensive checklist and working with trusted professionals when needed, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing your vehicle is prepared for the road ahead. Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or simply commuting to work, proper spring maintenance is an investment in your safety, your vehicle’s longevity, and your wallet.