Your Spring Car Maintenance Checklist

Spring Is In The Air

It’s starting to feel like spring in the air here in the Colorado Front Range.

While it’s always good to stay prepared for that late-season winter storm – it’s also not too early to start planning for spring car care.

Winter can be tough on your car, so it should come as no surprise that spring is one of the best times for car maintenance. The sand, salt and slush of winter are finally washed away from the roads, so it’s also a good time to wash away that same grit from your car.

Before you start putting your spring road trip plans into action it’s important to make sure your car is ready – AAMCO Colorado is here with your spring car maintenance checklist.

 

Infographic of spring car maintenance tips

 

Tire Maintenance

Your car’s tires affect handling, traction, and safety.

Check your tire pressure, as temperatures fluctuate so can your tire pressure. Check your tire treads for uneven wear, cuts, leaks, or other damage that may affect their performance. Replace your tires if they are worn or damaged.

If you had put on snow tires, be sure to switch back to your summer or all-season tires and properly store away your winter tires until next season.

Related: How to Know When It’s Time for New Tires

 

Fluid Checks

Get an oil change and check your fluids.

If your last oil change was before winter then spring is usually a great time for your next oil change. Oil changes are part of regular car maintenance and neglecting this can result in poor performance, higher fuel consumption and eventual damage to your engine.

This is also a good time to check that coolant, power steering, brake fluid and transmission fluid are all at the right level. Neglected fluids can lead to damage and costly repairs for your car. If your fluids are low top them up or flush/replace them as recommended by a trusted mechanic.

Related: 5 Ways Oil Changes Promote Engine Longevity

 

Wash and Wax

Spring-cleaning isn’t just for your house.

After a harsh winter of slush, ice, snow, salt, and sand assaulting your car, it’s good to give your car a nice cleaning – especially on the underside. Salt and sand used on roads can cause serious damage to the underside of cars – especially your muffler and exhaust system leading to deadly leaks.

Don’t ignore your interior either. Salt can erode your car from the inside out too. So be sure to give your floor mats a good vacuum.

 

Windshield Maintenance

Fix cracks, replace wipers and refill fluid.

Here in Colorado where we often use sand to combat the ice and snow on the road, it’s easy to end up with chips and cracks in your windshield by the end of winter. While it may not seem like a huge deal, even small damage to your windshield can decrease your safety in the event of a crash, and cause you difficulty seeing in the bright spring sun when light scatters off of it.

It’s also important to replace any worn out, cracked, or damaged windshield wiper blades and refill your windshield wiper fluid. If your blades are torn or cracked they won’t do you much good in a spring shower!

 

Check Your A.C.

Be sure that your car is ready for warm weather.

Don’t find yourself caught in warm weather with your A.C. only blowing hot air. Make sure your car is ready for these first signs of spring by testing your air conditioning. Turn your A.C. on at full speeds, if cool air isn’t coming out you’ll know it’s time for an air conditioning service.

Be sure to take advantage of our spring offer for a FREE air-conditioning check. We will check your A.C. for refrigerant, hoses, lines, seals, belt, compressor, evaporator, condenser, electrical controls & more for leaks or damage – let the pros at AAMCO Colorado keep you cool this spring!

Related: My Car’s Air Conditioning Doesn’t Work

 

Check Your Air Filters

A clogged air filter can impact engine performance.

Changing your air filter is inexpensive and quick. A dirty air filter can reduce your gas mileage by nearly 10%…make sure you are getting your best fuel economy before setting out on that spring road trip!

 

Belts & Hoses

Cold temperatures can damage rubber parts.

It’s important to check belts and hoses for damage after a cold winter for leaking, hardening, softening, cracks or other visual damage.

Related: Timing Belts & Chains

 

Update Your Emergency Kit

Don’t get caught unprepared.

Just like we suggested in winter – it’s always good to be prepared when you set out on your next road trip. With the changing of the seasons, the start of spring is the perfect time to replenish your car’s emergency kit.

You can remove some of the winter specific items such as chains and kitty litter. Make sure all your items are in good working order or not expired.

We suggest including in your car emergency kit:

  • Jumper cables
  • Spare tire
  • Bottled water
  • Flashlight
  • Flares or reflective triangles
  • First aid kit
  • Blanket
  • Rain poncho
  • Batteries
  • Non-perishable snacks

Related: Emergency Roadside Car Kits

 

Make Spring Maintenance a Priority With AAMCO Colorado

Let the experts at AAMCO Colorado help you prolong the life of your vehicle and keep you safe on the road this spring. Come into any of our Colorado locations for your FREE spring safety check.

Time for your next tune-up, oil change, or other repairs? AAMCO Colorado is your one stop shop for total car care. It’s easy to schedule online with your local AAMCO Colorado today.

 

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