How to get your car ready for spring driving

It’s getting warmer and the snow is just about gone. Your car has taken a beating during the winter months, and now it needs a little TLC. Here are four things you can do to get your car ready for spring driving.

1. Wash underneath your car and check for rust

If it weren’t for the invention of applying salt to Canada’s icy winter roads, there would be exponentially more car accidents and bad days. Unfortunately, just when you think salt is your ally, it reveals its dark side: rust and undercarriage damage. As winter winds down it’s important to thoroughly wash your car’s underside in order to protect it from corrosion. While a small rust spot might seem relatively unimportant, it can quickly spread and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs if it is not treated and maintained immediately. You don’t need anything fancy to properly clean underneath your car. Just get some soapy water and a decent brush. Some car washes also offer undercarriage packages.

2. Replace windshield wipers

You know those mornings when you thought you could get away with not scraping your windows and instead just turned the heat on high and your wipers to “light speed”? Turns out that’s not exactly what they were designed for. Winter is hard on windshield wipers and as the snow melts and slushy driving conditions become the seasonal norm, it’s important to make sure they are doing their job. Getting into a fender bender that will cost you hundreds of dollars in deductibles and increased insurance premiums is a far larger price to pay than shelling out a few bucks for new blades to make sure your car is ready for spring.

3. Get your tires changed, aligned, and inflated

This is where the rubber really meets the road (*please hold your applause until the end of the show*). Canada’s harsh winters demand a good set of winter tires and a second set for “other”. If you don’t believe me, just Google the statistics about stopping in winter conditions without winter tires. As you switch into spring mode, check that your tires are rotated from where you took them off the year prior in order to ensure equal wear. It’s also a great opportunity to make sure the tires are aligned and properly inflated. Spending a few minutes checking your tire pressure can mean a lot less wear and tear, as well as increased fuel mileage.

4. Don’t be afraid of a checkup

Going to your friendly family doctor to get a check-up is a much better idea than waiting for something really bad to happen. Similarly, you should find a mechanic you can really trust and get them to take a peek at your car periodically. The season change is a great reminder to examine the usual suspects for vehicle break down such as: breaks, fluid change, belts and hoses. If you’re a DIY kind of person, then go ahead and do your own checks and top ups. If you’re not a gear head, then make friends with one in hurry.

Get your car ready for spring driving with a little simple maintenance, and it will save you money down the road – and keep you safer behind the wheel.