Spring checklist to keep your car in tiptop shape

Winter can be tough on your car. Spring is the time to make sure you’re ready for the summer with these maintenance tips.

Slushy, dirty roads can damage your vehicle’s body, while frigid temperatures make your engine work overtime. Let’s face it, winter is tough on everything. Your car needs more than a spring-cleaning to get it ready for summer road trips.

Get your car ready

Whether you do it yourself or take your vehicle to a mechanic, our spring maintenance recommendations help you prepare your car for your spring summer drives.

Change and rotate the tires. Check the tires for regular wear and tear, as well as uneven wear.
Test the air conditioning to make sure it blows cold air. If not, you may need the refrigerant topped up.
Don’t forget to check coolant levels. Overheating is a possible cause of breakdowns and vehicle fires, especially in hot summer weather.
Consider replacing the wiper blades as winter might have worn out your wipers so badly that they streak up the windshield.
Wash and wax your auto as road salt and sand mixes used to melt winter snow and ice can accumulate on the undersides of your vehicle and trigger corrosion

Spring also means adjusting your driving habits

While spring brings longer days, shorter nights and more sunshine, it also brings rain, windstorms, close encounters with wildlife, and more.

Make sure to adjust your driving habits to account for the change in temperature and weather conditions.
Beware of potholes and keep your tires properly inflated so they’re more prepared to deal with a bump. If you hit a big pothole, have your tires, wheels, and suspension checked by a mechanic because your vehicle may have sustained serious damage.
Warmer weather encourages more people to be outdoors. Be conscious of your surroundings and share the road with cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
Summer also brings increased construction on our roads and highways so be prepared to stop or slow down.

Check your coverage

The change in seasons is also a good time to review your policy and make changes to help ensure that you have the right coverage. Any changes like the length of your commute or if you’ve installed a recognized anti-theft device could result in lower auto insurance premiums. Make sure that you talk to your insurance broker to review your coverages.