How to Get Your Car Ready for Spring

Ahhhh after the kind of Canadian winter we had, seeing signs of spring is more than just a relief. I mean I love the snow, but to a certain extent, cause you can’t drive around in your summer cars! This week’s blog post is sure to maintain the spring vibe and maybe even teach you something you can pass on to others. 

In only a matter of days, Spring will make it’s much awaited arrival. So maybe now is the right time to get your car prepared for next season. Even though it may seem far away, I promise you it will be here sooner than you realize!

Spring cleaning is more than just decluttering your house, it can also apply to your car, among other things. But what might you want to clean out exactly? Well besides the obvious, that’s a great question and here is your answer, at least some ideas: 

• Air filters 
• Tires 
• Wipers/Windshield 
• Exterior Body 

Why is Spring Cleaning Important for your Vehicle? 

Each of the wonderful 4 seasons in Canada brings their own set of issues that affects a vehicle and its performance. Not only will it help you to reconnect and rekindle with lost items, but it helps your overall mood, increases productivity, AND you can make money while you’re at it! And I mean come on, who doesn’t like to make money? 

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Car:

• Refuel your summer rides with new gasoline
  • Studies have shown that gasoline becomes less useful around the three month mark – the important components of gasoline evaporate during that time. Imaginably, if it is a summer ride, you haven’t ridden around in it since the warmer temperatures (which in Canada can feel so far away)
  • Fill the tank to the top, this reduces the amount of oxygen in the tank (reducing the amount of volatile chemicals the gas can lose)
  • Consider adding fuel stabilizer 
• Don’t forget your Electronic Vehicles! 
  • Although there isn’t the traditional engine fluids under the hood, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check the other components
  • Checking the tire pressure, windshield washer fluid, and cabin filter are all just as important
• Changing shoes (tires)
  • If you had all-season tires on this isn’t necessarily an issue for you. However, those of you who had winter tires on listen up! 
  • Depending on how you swapped the tires in the fall, checking the tread of both sets wouldn’t hurt 
    • If you have anything less than 2/32 of an inch of tread, they should be replaced 
  • Do you have worn summer tires? Now is the perfect time to get a new set 
  • If the winter ones need replacing, you can spend the summer looking for deals on them to ensure that you get them for the right price 
• Wipe away that Winter look 
  • Ice, snow, and the cold can have a brutal effect on your wipers, so replacing them now would be the ideal thing to do 
  • One tell-tale way to know your wipers need replacing: the streaks they leave on your windshield when it’s wet outside 
  • Check to see that your AC is still working, it’s better to get it repaired sooner rather than later, especially with the wicked summer heat 
• Unsalted, please! 
  • Run it through a car wash – but only most effective if car washes were consistent through the winter
  • NAPA recommends: something with acid in it; a spray bottle full of a 50-50 mix of hot water and vinegar 
• Time to Toss!
  • Vacuum out the entirety of the car, you never know what you’re going to find 
  • After a vacuum, it’s worth checking to see if lights (interior and exterior) work

Air Filters! Don’t Forget the (Engine) Air Filters!

Air Filters work double time during the spring for your car to keep running. The ideal time to change them is right before the pollen hits. After it does, your car could be slowed down a lot in the Spring. Plus not to mention, removing all the dirt and dust clears the air that you’re breathing in and the air your car is dealing with. 

You need to know when to change your car’s air filters because it is very important for the health of your car. Maintenance schedules can differ from vehicle to vehicle depending on when the air filter was last changed. The best way to know is to check your owner’s manual to see the suggested time to replace all your vehicle’s air filters. Typically, the average mileage of when to change them is every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. You can also keep a lookout for these following signs: 

• Decrease in your fuel economy 
• Air filters look dirty and dusty 
• Ignition issues
• It’s replacement time according to your car owner’s manual 

Engine Air Filters…

Keep in mind there are two main air filters in your car – engine and cabin. The cabin filter is usually located in your glove compartment or underneath the dashboard. This one will need to be replaced regularly to avoid polluted air from coming through your vehicle’s vents. The second type of air filter is engine air filters. Engine air filters prevent dust, dirt, and anything else from getting into your engine. 

Final Thoughts 

Spring is almost here and what a better way to celebrate than to get your car, house, and mind ready for it through a little spring cleaning! These were just a few tips and ideas of ways that you can get your vehicle spring ready but feel free to leave your comments/thoughts on our social media pages or even directly on the blog post itself of how you’re ringing in the new season.

Since you made it this far, why not check out this blog post about Project Cars….who knows you might get inspired to work on your own!

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