With spring here, you’re probably eager to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather! Maybe you’re planning a road trip for spring break, or you’re visiting family for the weekend. One way to help make your trip a success is to prepare your car for the spring season. Here are four ways to get your car ready for spring.
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Wash Your Car
One of the last things you want to do when it’s freezing outside is wash your car, so there’s a good chance you’ve been putting off this essential chore. As soon as the weather starts to warm up, you should give your car a good washing. Winter weather can be pretty harsh on your vehicle, especially if you live in an area where it snows.
Road salt can eat away at the car’s paint if it builds up, and if you haven’t washed your car in a while, it probably has all kinds of dirt and grime on it that can cause even more damage. If you decide to save some money by not going to a car wash and washing your car yourself, be sure to add baking soda to your bucket of water. It can neutralize road salt and make it easier to remove tough buildup.
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Inspect Your Tires
Winter weather is also tough on your car’s tires. Cold air can cause a drop in tire pressure and snow-covered roads can cause extra wear and tear on the tread. You should check the tire pressure and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Consult your owner’s manual to see how much air your tires need. Tire pressure can affect your vehicle’s gas consumption, so keeping the correct amount of air in your tires can save you money while also preventing a dangerous blowout. If the tread on your tires is too worn, you’ll want to replace them.
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Get an Oil Change
The spring season is the perfect time of year to change your car’s oil, especially if you had to use a winter blend during colder months. Winter blends are thinner than warm weather blends, and they’ll thin out further when it’s hot outside. Even if you use a multi-grade oil suitable for year-round use, you should still change your oil according to the intervals noted in your owner’s manual. Dirty oil can cause significant damage to your car’s engine.
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Check Your Windshield Wipers
If you live in an area where it snows, you’ll inevitably have to use your windshield wipers to clear away ice. This ice teams up with the cold winter air to tear up your windshield wipers. Replacing worn-out windshield wipers is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to prepare your car for spring. Even if you don’t see signs of wear and tear, you should replace your wipers if they leave your windshield streaky.
Hopefully, you find these tips to be helpful! By preparing your car for spring, you can drive with confidence and enjoy your car for years to come.
Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License
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