Winter punishes a car with salt, potholes, freezing temperatures and grime. Spring is the natural moment to undo that damage and set the car up for easy summer driving. Working through a short checklist now prevents bigger problems later.
Wash Away the Salt
Road salt is corrosive, and it collects in places you never see, especially the undercarriage and wheel wells. Give the car a thorough wash that includes a good underbody rinse to flush out accumulated salt before it eats at brake lines and the frame. Follow with a coat of wax to protect the paint through the bug-and-sun season ahead.
Check the Tires
- If you ran winter tires, swap back to all-seasons and store the winters properly.
- Set pressures to spec, since cold winter air leaves them low as it warms.
- Inspect tread depth and look for cuts or bulges from pothole hits.
Fluids, Wipers and Brakes
Check the oil and top off or change it if winter's short trips left it dirty. Look at the coolant, brake and washer fluids. Winter wiper blades are often torn and streaky by spring, so replace them. Listen for any new noises from the brakes, which take a beating from salt and grit, and have them inspected if anything squeals or grinds.
The Finishing Touches
Test the air conditioning before the first hot day, when a repair line is long, and replace the cabin air filter to clear out winter's accumulated dust. Check that all exterior lights work, and clean the headlight lenses if they've hazed over. A battery that struggled through the cold may be on its way out, so have it tested. An hour of spring attention turns a winter-weary car back into a reliable, comfortable one.