Get your car ready for spring!
The long winter is finally over! But before you go out for road trips or even driving around town, make sure your car is in tip-top shape. From facing clumps of snow to slippery, icy roads, your car likely is in need of some post-winter care. Here are five things to help keep things running smoothly and safely:
- Clean up your tires or change out the winter tires. Wipe down and scrub off any accumulated rust—even a little rust can make the wheel difficult to remove if you ever get a flat tire later on. While you’re at it, consider getting the air pressure and balance checked for all tires.
- Get your brakes inspected. Braking hard and repeatedly on slippery roads can put a lot of wear and tear on your brakes. Road salt can also corrode parts that affect brake function. Given how critical brakes are to your safety and the safety of others, this inspection is highly recommended and should be done by experts.
- Wash away salts. Not only can road salt impact your brake function, it can also wear down other parts of your car too. Use a hose to rinse down the undercarriage of your car, or go to a car wash that washes the bottom of your car.
- Get new wipers. With all the ice and snow on the windshields, your wipers are likely in need of a change. Make sure you measure accurately before purchasing a new set of wipers. And don’t forget about the back wiper, if your car has one!
- Swap out air filters. If you haven’t replaced your engine air filter or cabin air filter (if your car has one), consider getting them replaced this spring. You’ll get better mileage out of your car with a fresh engine air filter, and things will smell better if you have a new cabin air filter.
And if you haven’t gotten one yet, be sure to ask us for our Crash Kit, a free booklet to keep in your glovebox that will come in handy if you ever get involved in a car accident.
