Top 5 Car Maintenance Items for Spring

Seasons change and so does the recommended car maintenance. To help prevent expensive auto repairs, it’s a good idea to keep up with certain regular maintenance with each new season. While many of these recommended services stay the same from season to season, that doesn’t make them any less important. Certain parts of your car wear out easily and may have to be repaired or replaced every few months. Let’s take a look at a few key spring maintenance items.

Set Up Your Windshield for Success

Is your car ready for spring showers? Don’t get caught off guard with no wiper fluid on a wet, dirty road. Make sure you can keep your windshield clean and clear to avoid accidents on the road. Rainy weather can already make it difficult to see other drivers on the road, so you want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible.

Wiper Blades Should Be Replaced Regularly

Winter can be extra hard on the rubber on your wiper blades. Take a look and make sure they aren’t too dry and cracked. Even easier, pay attention when you use them and if there are streaks, it’s time to spring for new wiper blades.

Give Your Car a Good Wash

You may be inclined to give your car a good wash anyway, if it’s looking extra grungy. Giving your car a good wash can also help you catch chips or scratches in the paint or windshield that you may have otherwise missed. Taking care of those sooner rather than later will prevent a more major repair like a windshield replacement or rust on the exterior of your car.

Salt from the Roads Can Cause Metal Parts to Rust

A thorough car wash, including the underside of your car, is especially important coming out of winter. As we enter into spring, we’re getting clear from snow and ice, as well as the salt on the roads. That salt, while great at helping keep roads clear in the winter, can also wreak havoc on the underside of your car. If you let it sit there for too long, you risk corrosion and rust growing on those metal parts.

Take a Good Look at Your Tires

Hopefully you kept an eye on your tires throughout the winter, too. But even if not, it’s a good idea to take a seasonal check in on their condition. Check the tread on your tires and schedule a tire rotation, especially if one set looks significantly more worn. If all of your tires look pretty worn, it’s time to get a new set.

Pay Attention to the Type of Tires You Have

This is also a good time to think about what type of tires you have on your car. If you go for winter tires, now might be the time to change back to your regular or all-season tires. Or if you haven’t chosen all-season tires in the past, consider changing to them when you buy a new set.

Get an Oil Change

Depending on when you last had an oil change and how much you drove throughout the winter, it may be time to get another oil change. Most older cars should have an oil change done every few months to ensure the engine oil doesn’t become over-contaminated or degraded.

Don’t Forget a Filter Change, Too

Don’t say no to a new oil filter, too. Some oil filters can simply be cleaned, saving the cost of a new filter, but it’s a good idea to do one or the other each time you get an oil change. Your oil filter helps keep out contaminants, so keeping a dirty filter in your car will speed up contamination of your new engine oil.

Make Sure Your Brakes are Good to Go

Another part of your car that deserves regular attention are your brakes. With each new season, take a couple minutes to check your brake pads and rotors. They may have been used more than usual during the winter and you want to catch worn-down brake pads sooner rather than later to avoid a safety hazard and potentially extra repairs.

If Your Brake Pedal Feels Spongy, Check Your Brake Fluid

Also pay attention to the feel of your brake pedal. Does it feel soft or spongy? If so, it’s possible you have air in your brake lines and/or you need new brake fluid. Schedule a brake service with your mechanic to make sure your brakes are ready for the rainy season.

AAMCO Boise is Here for Your Seasonal Car Care Needs

Seasonal car maintenance is no joke. It’s important to keep up with regular seasonal car repair services so that you stay safe and your car performs its best for you. If it’s time for some regular car maintenance, bring your car to the mechanics at AAMCO Boise and drive away with confidence.

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