Rejoice, fellow Canadians! The warmer weather is starting to make an appearance. The birds are out, and the flowers are beginning to bloom. After winter, it’s always pleasing when spring weather starts to show its face. Though spring cleaning may be at the top of everyone’s to-do list, it’s also a perfect time to do a little spring car maintenance. Winter is the hardest season on our cars as the cold weather, snow, ice, and road salt all work against your vehicle’s health. With that being said, now is also a good time for a quick update on your car insurance. Take some time in March through June to do some of these spring car maintenance tips and get your car ready for the summer driving season!
1. Replace your wipers
Winter can be tough on the hinges of your windshield wipers. The constant hot and cold that wipers experience means they can wear out quickly. It is recommended that you switch out your wiper blades every six months. Scrutinize them, even if they seem to work well. Are they leaving streaks or making a squealing sound every time you use them? If you believe they still have some life in them, keep a few new wipers in your trunk, just in case. When it comes to spring car maintenance, this is key!
2. Do a thorough interior clean
Your mats have protected the floor of your car from salt and ice, but your interiors need attention, too. Take extra care to sanitize all surfaces you commonly touch inside your vehicle, like your steering wheel, door handles, gear shifter, climate, and radio controls. A good rule of thumb is to start from the top and work your way down. Clean the interior windows, the dashboard, and your wheel, followed by your controls, and so on. Then do a deep vacuum with a strong shop vac on the ground, seats, and trunk. You should also wash and dry your mats to get them ready for the warmer seasons – we recommend WeatherTech custom car mats!
3. Do a thorough exterior clean
Naturally, you should be giving your car an exterior clean in addition to your interior. But don’t hit up a car wash and consider it done. Instead, spend the time needed to clean every aspect of the car’s exterior. Clean your hubcaps, get in the door jam, and other hard-to-reach places. Those neglected areas can degrade over time if unkept! This results in the need for replacements much sooner than necessary.
4. Get an oil change
Spring car maintenance is one of the best times to do an oil change. Your motor has worked hard over the winter, so giving it a new supply of oil will make a world of difference.
5. Top up your washer fluid when doing spring car maintenance
You likely used a lot of windshield washer fluid over the last few months, so spring is an excellent time to add more. Washer fluid is something we often forget until we need it, which is a position you don’t want to be in!
6. Check your air filters
Your car has a variety of air filters that keep performance running smoothly. When was the last time you took a close look at them? For many car owners, they haven’t ever checked their filters, and it may be impacting their car performance. Grab your car manual and see where your filters are, and give them an inspection! Or if you’re not car-savvy, bring it to your local mechanic.
7. Inspect your belt during spring car maintenance
In cold weather, your rubber engine belts degrade quickly. Regular inspection can help protect you from future troubles. If it looks to be in bad shape, showing signs of damage or significant wear – it’s time to replace it. Again, have your local mechanic check it out for you before the warmer season arrives.
8. Give your car a wax
What better way to celebrate the warmer weather than to polish up your cleaned car? A good turtle wax isn’t only about making it shine. Waxing your car can make it easier to clean up things, like bugs, rain, and debris.
9. Get your brakes inspected
Never take a risk with your brakes! Have them inspected before going into the new season. A good time to get them checked is when you change your tires from winter back to all seasons, or as soon as you begin hearing squeaking noises.
10. Change your tires
Get your all-season tires on! Your winter tires are only useful on the road during the cold, icy months of winter. Switch over to quality, all-season tires that will help you drive better on dry or rainy roads.
11. Repair your windshield when doing spring car maintenance
If you notice any damage to your windshield or other windows, repair it. Don’t wait for a problem to get worse, which can result in having to replace the entire windshield! This can be a pricey lesson to learn, so the quicker the issue is fixed the better.
12. Review your insurance policy with your isure broker
Now is also a good time to do a quick overview of your car insurance policy. Give a quick call to your isure broker to confirm your vehicle usage, and to review your overall coverage. You may even qualify for some additional discounts, like bundling your home and car insurance. Contact or request a quote with isure today!
Hit the road and enjoy the warm weather!
Taking a bit of time now will get you ready to hit the roads for the spring and summer driving season. We hope our spring car maintenance tips have motivated you to take early action. Have fun and be safe on the roads out there!
