Details provided by AAA’s Insurance Partner: MAPFRE Insurance

Spring is almost here! Which means it’s time to usher out the old and bring in the new – and what better way to do it than by giving your car a thorough cleaning and checkup? Here’s a few helpful tips to get your car ready for all those summer road trips. 

Focus on the interior

A great starting point is the interior of your car. Take the time to rid your car of everything and anything that may have accumulated during the colder months. This includes flyaway papers and wrappers, but also all the dirt, dust and mud you may have accumulated over the course of the winter. Hidden perk of all the vacuuming you’ll be doing? You’ll be outside, enjoying the awesome spring weather. 

Check your tire pressure

With the new season comes fluctuating temperatures, which means the tire pressure in your car will change. When it’s colder outside, the pressure in your tires will decrease causing you to put more air in. In the spring, you may actually have to do the opposite. If the tire pressure in your car goes beyond the manufacturer’s recommended amount, it can seriously affect your fuel economy and vehicle drivability.

Give the exterior a good wash

You’ve cleaned the living daylights out of your interior. Now it’s time to do the same to the exterior. A good wash and wax will really do the trick in getting all the crusted-on road grime and salt buildup off your car.  

Letting it sit can often lead to paint damage and even rusting which can cause other serious problems. If you can, try to get the undercarriage as well during your wash as it is most susceptible to rusting.  

Want to maintain that squeaky clean shine of your car but are faced with tons of bugs in your grill? Here’s a pro tip – Keep a pack of dryer sheets in your car for those moments when it’s looking extra buggy. A dryer sheet will help removed all that baked on bug goo in little to no time. You don’t have to use a fresh dryer sheet – a used one will do just fine (and you’ll be recycling too). 

Take a peek under the hood

More than likely everything is okay – but it’s probably a good idea to make sure the winter weather didn’t dislodge any hoses or eat away at the likes of serpentine belts. It may also be a good idea to check your coolant systems to make sure your car won’t overheat, and just as a precautionary measure – maybe check your oil too.

Consider getting your tires realigned

Whether you want to admit it or not, you’ve probably hit a couple of potholes over the winter (it happens to the best of us). However, each time you hit a pothole, you run the risk of throwing your alignment and suspension off a little more each time. Not sure if it’s time to get your tires realigned? Follow this checklist:

• Is your car pulling to the left or right when you drive?
• Is there rapid or uneven wear on your tires?
• Are your tires squealing?
• Is your steering wheel crooked when driving straight?
• If you answered yes to any of these questions – then, it’s time for an alignment! 

Talk with a AAA Insurance Agent

If you need to renew or make any changes to your insurance before getting back on the road, chat with one of our AAA Insurance Agents today!