Now that winter is over, you will probably enjoy driving more often. Before you do, you’ll want to get your car ready for spring. Winter can cause a lot of wear and tear on your car, so before you head out on the road, you’ll want to make sure your car is in its best condition.

Clean Your Car

If you live in an area where winters are harsh, your car is probably in need of a thorough washing. Give the exterior a good wash and then give it an inspection to see if there are any paint chips that need to be covered. Now that your car is clean, it’s also a good time to give it a wax. This protects the paint finish and will make future washing easier. Take this time to clean the interior of your car by wiping down surfaces, removing any trash, and giving the upholstery and floors a vacuum.

Replace Worn Parts

Getting your car ready for spring is the perfect time to check your windshield wipers to see if they need replacing. During a winter of rain and snow they probably got a lot of use, which may have worn them out. It’s a good idea to replace them every six to twelve months in general, but there’s a couple of signs they should be changed now.

If the windshield wipers aren’t working efficiently, they will leave spots and streaks. This is a good indication you should change them. If you bend the rubber of the wipers and they are no longer flexible, it’s time for a change. This is also a good time to change air filters. If the filters get a lot of use throughout the year, you want to change them often so they remain efficient at doing their job. Make sure the air conditioning system is working as well.

Check the Tires

The condition of the tires impacts the safety of your car. If the tread is showing signs of wear, it might be time to replace the tires. The tread on your tires should never be below 1/16 of an inch. Uneven wear on tires is a sign that the car isn’t in alignment, so you’ll want to have this checked out and corrected. Also check each tire’s inflation to make sure they’re at the correct level. Any signs of bulging and blistering on tires should be checked out as both can lead to a blowout.

Change the oil and Check the Fluids

Changing the oil in your car should be done each season or every 3,000 miles. When you change the oil, you can also check and top up other fluids such as wiper fluid, anti-freeze, brake fluid, steering fluid, and transmission fluid. Getting these done at the same time will make it easier to keep track for your records.

Getting your car ready for spring should be a regular part of your car maintenance routine. During winter your car deals with a lot: road salt, cold weather, and wet and snowy conditions. Show your car a little extra care to start spring right.