Gear Up for Warm Weather with This Spring Car Maintenance Checklist

When you feel a tickle in your nose and a tear in your eye, you know it’s here: Spring in Atlanta! While the azaleas and flowering trees are giving us a great show, we also have to endure the pollen wafting on the breeze and enveloping everything in a dusting of yellow. Keeping your car looking fresh and clean is a challenge right now, so why not turn your direction to something a little less glamorous, but still very important—routine car maintenance.  

If you’re into DIY car repair, you already know you can save a truckload of money by purchasing used auto parts and installing them yourself. Well, the same goes for routine maintenance. Why not make the most of being stuck at home by ticking some things off of your to-do list? We’re still open for both online and in-person shopping, as well as buying junk cars. Our scrap yard is massive, so it’s easy to maintain social distancing. 

Ready to get started? Check out this list of spring car maintenance tasks to keep your ride running smoothly. 

Spring Car Maintenance Checklist

Change the oil.

You should change the oil in your car every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, so if you haven’t had an oil change since the fall, don’t wait. If you haven’t done it before, no worries—it’s very simple with a little research and some helpful directions. Check out this step by step guide to oil changes.  

Check the fluids.

The oil isn’t the only fluid you should be checking on your car. You should also check these: 

• Transmission fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid
• Brake fluid
• A/C fluid (freon or refrigerant)

Keeping on top of your transmission fluid is especially important because transmission repairs are some of the hardest and most expensive car repairs to do. (Average cost ranges from $2,000 to over $4,000.)

Check the alignment and suspension.

Driving on rough roads, over potholes, or even taking the neighborhood speed bumps a little too fast (Don’t do that!) can throw off the alignment and suspension of your car. You’ll know the alignment’s off if you experience the steering wheel shaking or vibrating while you drive. Another sign is the car pulling to one side or the other. 

Rotate the tires.

You should rotate your tires every 5,000 miles or so, but even if you’re not up to that mileage, keep an eye on the tire tread to make sure they’re wearing evenly. If you find any problematic areas, use the penny test to measure tread wear. 

Check the air pressure. 

It’s also super important to check the air pressure of your tires, and you should do so frequently. Inadequately inflated tires are a major safety risk and can lead to uneven wear and tear on your tires, causing you to need to replace them sooner. 

Inspect the brakes.

Speaking of safety, your brakes are one of the most essential components of your car! When doing spring car maintenance, remember to check the brake pads and rotors. The earlier you catch a problem, generally the easier (and cheaper) it is to fix.