Spring Car Maintenance: Here’s What You Should Be Checking

What Car Shoppers Need to Know

• Just like prepping your vehicle for winter, giving your car a spring checkup is a smart practice.
• A simple DIY inspection of your vehicle can catch small issues before they become bigger problems.
• In addition to running through a basic component checklist, spring is a good time to perform some basic vehicle maintenance.

While it’s usually winter preparation for cars that gets the most attention, several items should be checked when warmer weather rolls around. Here’s our list of components to examine, as well as a couple of simple upkeep tasks you can perform:

• Tire pressure and damage
• Engine fluids
• Windshield, wipers and washer fluid
• Belts and hoses
• Cabin air filter
• Battery
• Lights
• Junk in the trunk
• Undercarriage wash

Tire Pressure and Damage

If you live where temperatures fluctuate quite a bit, you also live where tire pressures fluctuate quite a bit. The density of air changes with temperature, and the general rule is that tire pressure fluctuates by 1 pound per square inch for every change in temperature of 10 degrees. Thus if you pumped your tires up to proper pressure when it got cold out (which you should have), then they could be at too high a pressure when the weather warms. Highway driving in hot weather can raise tire pressure significantly, and that can lead to blowouts. So check and adjust tire pressures to manufacturer specifications (those specs are typically listed on a sticker on the driver’s doorjamb). Don’t forget the spare tire if you have one (some cars don’t).

Also check the sidewalls of the tires for bulges — on both the outboard and inboard sides — and the wheel rims for dents. (While the outboard check can be visual, you’ll need to run your hand along the inboard side to check for bulges and dents.) Bulges in the sidewalls — possibly a result of hitting potholes — can lead to blowouts, and dents in the rims (ditto) can cause air leaks. It’s also a good time to measure your tires’ tread depth, not only to check for wear, but to check for “feathering” (uneven wear patterns) and a disparity between tread depths in the inside and outside grooves that could indicate misalignment — also possibly caused by potholes. (Your steering wheel suddenly being off-center is another telltale sign.)

Engine Fluids

All fluids should be checked periodically, but in spring, the most important might be the coolant. If the level is low, it may not have caused problems in the cold weather, but it might when temperatures rise. If you need to add coolant, make sure you get the right type (there are different kinds), and also look out for leaks, because the fact it’s low means it went somewhere.

Your engine’s oil is another important fluid to check. Some cars call for a lighter-weight oil in cold weather than in hot weather, so spring is a good time to change it if that’s the case, and you should check the level regardless.

Windshield, Wipers and Washer Fluid

Ice, snow and cold can do a number on the rubber in your wiper blades, so it’s a good idea to check them, as spring often brings rain. While you’re at it, check the windshield for rock chips, as interior heat in the summer can cause the chips to expand into cracks. Many windshield shops offer chip repair that’s far less expensive than replacing a cracked windshield. Also, check the windshield wiper fluid level.

Belts and Hoses

Cold temperatures and salt can affect belts and hoses, so check them for cracking.

Cabin Air Filter

If your car has a cabin air filter, spring is a good time to change it or at least check it, as spring is also a good time for pollen from budding trees. Cabin filters help trap these airborne particles (which can particularly affect folks with allergies), as well as dust and other contaminants.

Battery

Heat can be worse than cold for a battery, so either have your car’s battery checked, or — if it’s old or was already showing signs of weakness in the cold — have it replaced.

Lights

All of your vehicle’s lights should be checked periodically, which is easiest to do if you have a helper. If you’re by yourself, you can check the brake lights either by holding down the pedal with a rod or by backing up to a wall at night.

Junk in the Trunk

You probably always carry emergency equipment in your trunk, but spring is a good opportunity to remove the winter-specific items and replace them with a gallon of water. Distilled water is less likely to go “bad” (and is better for use in your radiator if you need it), and a juice container is usually heavier-duty than a milk jug.

Undercarriage Wash

This really only applies if you live in a snowy area. You want to get any salt off both the body and — perhaps more importantly — bottom of the car, where it can cause unseen rust. It’s best to use a car wash that has the option of an undercarriage wash. If offered, use their vacuums to get salt off the carpets and floormats. When home, you might take your hose to spray out the wheel wells, as well as blast the air-conditioning condenser behind the grille to remove any salt. (Ideally, also open the hood, and spray from the inside toward the front of the car.) Check over the body to look for any paint nicks or scratches — particularly if down to bare metal — so you can correct those before they start to rust. Waxing the car wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.

More Maintenance and Repair Advice:

• Why Do My Tires Lose Pressure in Cold Weather?
• Is Oil for High-Mileage Engines Worth Buying?
• What’s the Difference Between Summer, Winter and All-Season Tires?
• Add Cars.com as a Preferred Source on Google

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