Spring Forward: Think Ahead for Your Seasonal Spring Vehicle Maintenance

Mar 10, 2025

Our clocks may have moved forward for the season this weekend, but we’re still waiting for the weather to catch up. Although temps are still on the chilly side here, it’s never too late to “spring ahead” and plan for upcoming maintenance with our Spring Seasonal Checklist! Winter weather drives can be harsh on your vehicle, so it’s important to prepare for the warmer weather with a system refresh. Proper spring car care ensures your safety, vehicle efficiency, and can extend the life of your car (pardon our pun) by a mile. Let’s take a look at the recommended tasks so you can start budgeting in time for those Spring weather trips. For a fun way to help you remember what tasks to complete, we’re pairing them with some fun song lyrics in each category.

So fresh and so clean, clean: Give your car a thorough cleaning both inside and out. Whether you opt for the DIY self-service car wash bay, a drive-through car wash facility, or a full-service wash with detailing, removing all the build up of salt, grime, and winter ick from your vehicle is vital. Removing road detritus and ice melt can protect the paint and clear coat from eroding, and prevent long term damage from rust and deterioration. Use a high pressure sprayer to remove build-up from the undercarriage and prevent rust; if you notice any signs of rust call your local body shop to ask for rust repair and prevention options. Protect your newly cleaned vehicle with a fresh wax.

Get your motor running: Pop that hood and give your car’s insides a thorough inspection. Check all of the nooks and crannies signs of wear such as cracks, leaks, breakages, or other damage. You’ll want to check the coolant hoses, brake hoses, power steering hoses, as well as all the belts. Take a peek at the fluid levels such as transmission, brakes, coolant, and wiper fluid; top off or replace as necessary. Check the cylinder head gaskets to make sure they’re not leaking or in need of repair, as these do break down over time with regular usage.

I can pull up by the curb, I can make it on the road: We’re fast approaching road trip season, and that means a lot of activity for those tires! Make sure you thoroughly inspect your tires for signs of wear and tear, such as adequate tread depth and no signs of puncture or leaks. The change in temperature can cause your tires to lose pressure with each 10º increment, so you’ll want to regularly check and inflate the tires to pressure. Once the ice and snow is finally gone, consider swapping your winter tires for all-season or summer tires. Have your local service center rotate and balance your tires, and take it out for a test spin to evaluate the difference.

I will be your light, shining bright: Pay attention to your dashboard lights, and schedule a call to your service center if you notice anything critical is illuminated; don’t procrastinate the issues after the warning lights are on, because you may be in for a much larger issue down the line. Ensure that your interior lights are all functioning and bulbs are replaced if not. Check all headlights, rear tail lights, brake lights, and hazard lights are in working order and function as expected; if you notice anything not illuminating properly, it may require a replacement bulb or be an electrical issue in need of service and repair.

I can feel it comin’ in the air tonight: Remember to change your air filter and clear all exterior vents of leaf debris and outdoor detritus. Having a clean air filter can improve your breathing during allergy season, as well as improving the comfort of you and your passengers with a clean, odorless drive. Now is also a great time to replace any in-vehicle air fresheners or odor absorbers. Additionally, make sure to have your Air Conditioning and Fans serviced to ensure they’re cooling effectively before the hot weather hits.