Phil Smith Chevrolet

Spring is finally upon us, and that means we’ll all finally be able to get out of the house to spend time with friends and family, get the exercise we’ve been needing, or just enjoy being out in the sun for the day.

Spring is a great time to enjoy long drives or to take weekend road trips. Before you do that, you’ll need to take care of some essential maintenance — sort of like spring cleaning for your car. Here are a few things you can do to get your car ready for spring:

Get an Oil Change

Temperature changes can affect the viscosity of your oil and its ability to lubricate your engine. Tough driving conditions such as slushy or icy road, salt and mud can all cause your engine to work harder, and your oil may have deteriorated more quickly.

Now is the time to schedule a quick oil change. You can get in and out in under an hour and have the peace of mind that your car is protected and ready for the spring.

Change the Air Filter

Your air filter may have become very dirty and clogged after the long season of falling leaves and snow. Those leaves, pine needles and other tree debris may have fallen into your air filter and clogged it. The snow and ice may have fallen through and left your filter covered in dirt, salt and other minerals.

You need a clean air filter to handle all the pollen and bugs that are about to stage an all-out assault on your car. Change the air filter now and ensure top performance and fuel efficiency for your car.

Inspect the Tires

You need strong, healthy tires to ensure safe driving all year long. Now that the harsh winter season is over, check your tires for signs of wear. Check the tread depth, and look for signs of damage, such as exposed steel or bubbles in the tread.

If your tires only have minor wear, you may be able to simply rotate and balance them. However, you may find much more wear that can only be addressed by changing your tires.

Now that you are thinking about cleaning out your home, make sure you do the same spring cleaning for your car. Get a quick oil change and take care of these other essential maintenance tasks to get the best performance from your car this spring.