After months of winter weather, spring is nearly here, and what better way to celebrate than by taking a road trip? The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and springtime adventures await. Now all you need to do—besides plan a destination—is get your car ready to hit the road. With a little preparation, you can prevent unnecessary problems that can throw a wrench in your travel plans.

Here are 8 tips to get your vehicle in top shape for spring activities:

Check Your Cooling System

Engines operate at extremely high temperatures; as the days get warmer, your coolant could reach up to 250 degrees—hot enough to cause overheating and potential engine damage. That’s why it’s so important to make sure the system is in good working order before traveling long distances. Here are a few steps you can take at home:

• Check the radiator and hoses for leaks.
• Make sure all the connections are tight
• Top off your coolant

If it’s been a while since your last radiator service, you may also want to consider having the system flushed. Coolant breaks down and becomes acidic over time, which can cause corrosion in the cooling system.

Check Your Tires

Bald tires reduce your stopping distance and increase the chances of getting into an accident. Shallow tread depth makes it harder for your tires to grip the road, especially during spring showers. Measure your tread depth; if you can see the wear bar or your tread is below 3/32” and 4/32”, it’s time for a new set of tires. If you are using winter tires, replace them with summer or all-season tires.

Winter weather is known for creating potholes, which can throw off your wheel alignment. If you notice the following signs, make sure to schedule an alignment:

• Your car is pulling in one direction
• Uneven or rapid tire wear
• Noisy steering
• A crooked steering wheel
• Squealing tires

Lastly, use a tire gauge to check your air pressure. Not only will having the right tire pressure help your tires last longer, but it will also prevent blowouts. Plus, you’ll get better gas mileage! You can find the proper air pressure for your vehicle listed near the driver’s side door.

Check Your Windshield Wiper Blades

With ice, snow, rain, and salt, your windshield wipers take a beating during the winter months. For this reason, it’s recommended to change your wiper blades at least twice a year, especially before and after the rainy season. New wiper blades ensure you have the best visibility possible and help reduce the risk of an accident.

Check Your Battery

Car batteries last an average of 3-5 years. They have to work a lot harder when the temperatures are extremely hot or cold—both of which can drain your battery. If your battery is approaching old age, it’s best to replace it proactively, before it dies at an inconvenient time. If you’re not sure how old your battery is, we can also perform a test to make sure it’s still holding a good charge.

Check Your Motor Oil And Other Fluids

If it’s been a while since your last oil change, schedule it’s a good idea to schedule one before your trip. We recommend getting an oil change every 3,000 miles for synthetic-blend oil and every 5,000 miles for full synthetics. If you’ve had an oil change recently, check the level and top it off if needed. Other fluids you should check and top off as necessary include:

• Windshield wiper fluid
• Engine oil
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid
• Engine oil
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering fluid

Check Your AC

Spring is the perfect time to make sure your air conditioner is working well, especially if you plan to take a road trip to a warmer climate. Turn it on and cycle through the different settings. If you notice any odd sounds or smells—or that it’s not blowing cold air at all—make sure to schedule an appointment before summer hits.

Check Your Lights

Accidents are often caused by low visibility, so check that all your lights and signals (including headlights, taillights, fog lights, brake lights, and turn signals) are working correctly. If any of them are burnt out or seem dim, make sure to replace the bulbs.

Wash Your Vehicle

Although it feels great to drive around in a shiny ride, a clean car is about more than just aesthetics! Your vehicle’s paint and undercarriage should be cleaned to remove mud, salt, and other debris that accumulated during the winter. Over time, these can cause rust and corrosion.

Bring Your Car to Signal Garage for a Complete Pre-Trip Inspection
Many of these tips can be easily performed at home—but if you don’t feel comfortable doing these checks yourself, or you’d like extra peace of mind, schedule a pre-trip inspection at Signal Garage Auto Care! We’ll go over your car from bumper to bumper, keeping an eye out for anything that could potentially disrupt your spring plans. Give us a call a couple of weeks before your road trip, and we’ll make sure everything is in excellent shape and working as it should.

With three locations to serve you, we make auto care easy and convenient. Contact us today in St. Paul or West St. Paul—or request an appointment online!

• Google