Get Your Chevy Ready for Spring

Winter can really do a number on your vehicle. Between the salt, slush, and chilly temperatures, everything from your wiper blades to the tires takes a beating, which is why it’s so important to help your car transition to spring. If you’re ready to give your vehicle a thorough spring cleaning, here are some things to keep in mind:

Clean the Undercarriage

If you’ve spent this winter traveling on salted roads, your car’s underbody could wind up with rust problems. That’s because salt, sand, and other debris can lead to corrosion, which decreases the value of your vehicle and makes it more difficult to drive.

Local car washes usually charge extra for the undercarriage power wash, but this option is a valuable investment at winter’s end. You don’t even need to use soap or other type of cleaner—simply rinse the underbody and underneath the wheel wheels to ensure any corrosive debris comes free.

Replace the Wiper Blades

We may not get much snow in this part of Georgia, but excessive rain causes a car’s wiper blades to work double time during the winter months. Most experts advise you to change your car’s wiper blades twice a year, at the beginning of spring and fall, to ensure they’re working optimally. Even if the winter hasn’t been particularly harsh, a wiper blade’s life expectancy is only about six months, making it prudent to switch out the blades regardless.

Check the Tire Pressure

Your car’s tire pressure changes with the outside temperature, so it’s important to check your tires after winter ends. Always test your tire pressure when the tires are cold and the car hasn’t been driven lately, as even a short trip to the gas station to check the tires will give you a false reading. The recommended tire pressure is usually located on a sticker inside the driver’s door on newer cars, otherwise these specs can be found inside your owner’s manual.

Rotate the Tires

In addition to checking your tires’ pressure, you’ll need to have them rotated once winter is over. Most technicians will recommend having your tires rotated after every oil change, and since the beginning of spring is a great time to have them both done, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of scheduling these vital services at the end of winter.

Change the Filters

When you bring your car in for an oil change, it’s important to change the oil filter as well. Dirty filters simply won’t keep new oil clean, which can reduce your car’s performance. Additionally, you’ll also want to have the car’s air filter changed, as sand and salt on wintry roads can result in clogs.

Clean the Interior

Spring is the ideal time to give your car a thorough cleaning inside and out. Have your car detailed or attack any interior messes yourself, using a spray vinyl cleaner and soft cloths to clean surfaces.

Once you’ve completed this spring checklist, your car should be good to go for at least another six months, making it ready to run smoothly on all of your springtime getaways.