The first day of spring is March 20 and you know what that means, Cars for Girls readers: Time to get crackin’ and get those cars spiffed up, shinin’ and ready to roll out.  The winter blahs are over (well, almost, we’ve still got 14 days to go, but whose counting, right?), so let’s get in gear and get ready for an awesome spring!  Below are my tips and suggestions for getting your car ready for most welcome weather.

Check the Tires

Check for wear and tear and if they seem to be in pretty good shape, that’s good news. You may want to consider having the tires rotated, which helps keep them lasting longer and saves money in the long run. If you switched out your regular street tires for snow tires, it’s probably time to switch them back and if not now, then very soon. Don’t forget to check the air pressure and that includes the air in your spare tire, too.

• Need help?  Read our article: How to Check Air Pressure in Tires.

Tune-Up

If you can’t do it yourself, take your car in for a tune-up. Check out this great Cars for Girls article for more information on tune-ups:

• What’s a Tune-Up and When to Get One

Brakes

This is a good time to check your brakes.  Mud and crud make your brakes work harder, perhaps even causing wear that you don’t often think of, so it’s a good idea to have your brakes checked now.  If you take your car in for a tune-up, it’s also a great time to make certain our brakes get a good once over, too:

• How Do I Know If I Need New Brakes?

Wiper Blades

Check your wiper blades for damage.  Winter snow and ice that pummel your windshield in the winter, can also wreak havoc on wiper blades in the spring and summer.  Now is a great time to look them over before the spring rains catch you unaware.  If they need to be replaced, check out our article on how to replace them yourself:

• How to Replace Wiper Blades

Clean It Out and Wash It Up

Now is a good time to give your car the Spring Clean treatment.  Remove floor mats and give them a good scrub with soap and a brush or if they’re of the carpet variety, a good once over with the vacuum cleaner is probably needed.  This is also the perfect time to clean the trunk and to remove things you no longer need. Make sure your jack is in good working condition, discard all trash and make sure the trunk is well stocked with windshield wiper fluid, coolant and oil – it probaby wouldn’t hurt to buy a can of Fix-a-Flat, too, just in case.  If you’re not sure where to start, these Cars for Girls guides can help steer you in the right direction:

• Tips for Cleaning Your Car’s Interior
• Removing Odors: What Works
• How to Hand Wash Your Car

Check Fluids

This is a great time to have the oil changed and all fluids checked.  If you can’t change the oil yourself, take your car in to your favorite service garage, instead.  Also drain and add fresh coolant to the radiator and reservoir, check windshield washer fluid, oil and brake fluid.

• Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
• How to Add Windshield Wiper Fluid
• How to Check the Oil
• How to Choose a Service Garage

Check Belts and Hoses

Check all hoses and belts to be certain that they are in good working condition. Inspect for wear and tear.  Run your hands over hoses and belts to test for any signs of cracks, holes, frays or worn areas.  If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get them replaced before they get worse.  This is also a good time to check the air filter and change it, if necessary.

• How to Change an Air Filter
• Routine Vehicle Maintenance: Understanding the Basics Part 1
• Routine Vehicle Maintenance: Understanding the Basics Part 2

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