Seasonal Car Maintenance

Spring and fall maintenance checks to keep your car safe and reliable year-round — each season as its own section.

Spring — Tires & Wheels

• Switch back to all-season or summer tires if you ran winter tires — store winters in a cool, dry location
• Check tire pressure after winter — every 10°F drop loses about 1 PSI, and tires are often underinflated by spring
• Inspect tires for sidewall cracking or uneven tread wear from winter road stress

Spring — Exterior

• Get a full undercarriage wash to remove road salt — salt accelerates rust on brake lines, frames, and wheel wells
• Inspect windshield for winter-caused chips — repair small chips now before heat expands them into cracks; use Safelite Auto Glass or similar
• Check all lights — winter potholes knock out bulbs; inspect brake lights, reverse lights, and turn signals

Spring — Fluids & Mechanical

• Check and top off windshield washer fluid — switch to a summer formula that doesn't leave streaks in heat
• Inspect brake pads and rotors — winter driving, especially in snow, accelerates wear
• Replace cabin air filter if it hasn't been done in 15,000 miles — pollen season makes this critical
• Check battery terminals for corrosion — clean with baking soda and water if white buildup is present

Fall — Tires & Wheels

• Switch to winter tires when temperatures consistently drop below 45°F — all-season tires lose grip below that threshold
• Check winter tire tread depth — replace if tread is below 6/32 inch (insert a Lincoln penny; if you see all of Lincoln's head, replace them)

Fall — Battery

• Test your battery at any AutoZone or O'Reilly — free of charge; cold weather drops battery capacity by up to 35%
• Replace any battery older than 4 years proactively — battery failure in winter is a safety risk

Fall — Fluids

• Check coolant freeze rating — mix should protect to at least -34°F; test with an inexpensive hydrometer
• Switch windshield washer fluid to a -20°F or lower freeze-resistant formula

Fall — Wipers & Visibility

• Install winter wiper blades — they have a rubber boot that prevents ice buildup in the blade frame
• Apply Rain-X or similar hydrophobic treatment to all windows

Fall — Emergency Kit

• Assemble or restock a winter emergency kit: ice scraper, jumper cables, blanket, small shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction, and a flashlight