Spring Car Maintenance Tips

Mar 3, 2020

The coming of spring can inspire us to renew and refresh many aspects of our lives. However, it’s not just us that can benefit from a refresh and renewal. Spring is also a great time for car maintenance! Here are a few things we can do for our cars this spring.

Wash your car: Yes, this is pretty basic but every car can use a good washing after the winter months. If you’ve experienced lots of snow and/or ice, then you’re likely to have salt accumulated on and underneath your car. Wherever there is a buildup of road salt, corrosion is likely to occur. This makes it important to wash underneath the car and in the wheel wells. After doing a thorough top-to-bottom wash, waxing can add a beautiful shine and help protect the paint job.

Clean the interior: Now that you’re done with the outside of the car, it’s time to move inside and remove any trash. Now is also a good time to organize anything that needs to be in the car so you can more easily access it when needed. Vacuuming comes next, and you’ll want to be sure to thoroughly vacuum the entire interior, so don’t forget the trunk! You can also clean the upholstery of the seats and dashboard during this time as well. What you use will depend on the material in your car, so be sure to do some research ahead of time.

Change your wiper blades: Winter can take a heavy toll on your windshield wiper blades, so it’s a good idea to replace them at this time as well. Newer blades will be more effective at clearing water, which will help your visibility while driving.

Check your tires: Between potholes and inclement weather, your tires can become worn down which can limit your braking power. You’ll want to test your tires for wear and make sure the air pressure is at manufacturer recommended levels. If you use winter tires, be sure to replace them with non-winter tires as soon as possible. Leaving them on too long will result in excess wear.

Perform a quick test of your ventilation system: To prepare for warmer weather, make sure your air conditioner is working properly. Do this by turning on your car’s air conditioner to its highest setting to see if it reaches a cool temperature in a reasonable amount of time. If not, schedule a maintenance visit. You can also check your car’s cabin air filter during this time as well. If it’s dirty, then have it replaced.

Check and replace fluids: To preserve the life and health of your car, it’s important to regularly check your engine oil and replace it when necessary. Oil needs to be added if your dipstick indicates that it’s below the manufacturer-recommend level. You should also pay attention to the oil’s color. If it looks lighter, it could be an indication of engine trouble. Also make sure your windshield wiper fluid is topped off, since it can be depleted by winter weather.

Following these tips will keep you and your car happy as we head into the spring season. At Scott Clark Nissan we are always here for your maintenance needs so stop by and let us help keep your car on the road for years to come!