How to Tune Your Car for Spring

Spring can be nice, as the temperatures start to warm up, and nature starts to return to life. But with it comes a number of changes that can have a negative impact on your vehicle that you might not be aware of. Preparing your car for spring can save you time, money, and expensive repairs later in the year while making your car ownership easier. It can even save you money over the entire course of owning your vehicle! 

Spring auto maintenance will get you ready for months filled with long drives, weekend getaways to your favorite mountain spot or fishing lake, and cross-country vacations. You’ll also have a much better vehicle for daily commutes and weekly errands as well as your child’s sporting events and recitals for everyday use. A spring tune up can also get rid of some of the nasty damage that winter can have on the underside of your vehicle. Find out more about how to get your car ready for spring with this handy guide from Midway Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

Time for a Spring Tune Up

If you notice any signs your car needs a tune-up, you should take care of them before your next long-distance trip to make sure your vehicle is in proper working order. Take a look at our spring tune-up guide to help make your car ownership easier and reduce the chances of having a breakdown during a long trip.

1. Visit a Car Wash

Spring cleaning should go beyond your house. It’s also important to spring clean your car inside and out. The winter can be tough on cars. Freezing temperatures and road salt can do real damage to your paint job and the metal in your engine from the salt splashing up underneath the engine compartment. Once the salt settles on the parts, salt can corrode them over time.

Therefore, you need to make sure to start the spring season with a thorough car wash. If you go to a car wash, buy a premium wash because you won’t want to miss any nooks or crannies, including the undercarriage. If you wash your vehicle yourself, make sure to add baking soda to the wash water if your car has a strong salt buildup from winter drives. This will help neutralize the salt and save your paint job as well as the undercarriage. 

While modern car paint can resist salt from roads, your undercarriage and engine parts don’t have any paint. You’ll want to clean the underside of your car completely to neutralize the road salt. It can prevent permanent damage and corrosion later on, possibly saving you thousands of dollars in repair costs or even on a car purchase.

2. Check Your Tires

Did you know you can save money on gas by making sure your tires are filled up to the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure? Just by keeping the pressure at the right amount, your car can handle roads better, and the engine won’t have to work as hard to move your vehicle. The cold air and ice can be rough on the air pressure in your tires, and cold temperatures can actually reduce the air pressure in tires. 

If you own an EV, tires are even more important because EVs are heavier than internal combustion vehicles. You may need to look over the tires more often with an EV.

Spring is a great time to check your tires for wear, too. Make sure you rotate tires regularly to make the wear even among all four tires. We recommend a tire rotation every time you get an oil change. If you own an EV, rotate the tires every 5,000 miles. Don’t wait until you have a visible flat to fill your tires with the right amount of air. Check your tires for worn tread and make sure to replace your tires when the tread becomes too low. We also recommend checking your tires every time you fill up your tank. If you have an EV, check your tires once a week.

3. Replace Wiper Blades and Wiper Fluid

Snow can damage and wear your windshield wipers. Your windshield wipers should be replaced once every six months, particularly ahead of a rainy season. Wipers can become damaged if you use wipers to remove ice from your windshield. If your wipers leave streaks on the glass, replace the wipers ASAP. New wiper blades are inexpensive and simple to replace. You won’t even need to pay someone to do it for you! Make sure to top off your windshield wiper fluid and reapply any needed windshield treatments to repel water and rain to make visibility easier and safer.

4. Check Your Battery

At the end of a long winter, take a look at your vehicle’s battery. Cold temperatures, especially during NE winters, can reduce the effectiveness of electrical systems. Many parts shops and our service center have free battery checks where you can find out just how strong your battery is. If your battery is getting weak, you can prevent future problems by replacing it before it stops working altogether. That way, you won’t be left stranded with a dead battery at an inopportune time during a family trip far from home.

5. Change Your Oil

Regular oil changes can make all the difference in the longevity of your vehicle. Oil protects your pistons from wear and tear. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for oil change intervals and oil viscosity. Many manufacturers suggest oil changes every 5,000 to 10,000 miles with synthetic oil.

Make sure to change the oil filter as well. Some car shops offer fluid top-offs, tire checks, battery checks, and even tire rotation as part of their oil change prices. You can take care of almost all of your spring maintenance in just one stop. You can ask Midway Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for a spring tune-up at any time from our dealership near Grand Island and Hastings.

Get Expert Auto Service at Midway Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram! 

Consider getting a tune-up the next time you bring your vehicle in for service from Lexington. The team at Midway Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram would be happy to help with that! Feel free to schedule service at your earliest convenience and let our service team show you how easy it can be to get your vehicle back in peak condition. Have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.