March 19th marks the first day of spring! Warmer weather is right around the corner and soon to follow are sunny summer drives. But before you say hello to spring, you have to say goodbye to winter. Follow these quick tips to help you put winter in the rear view mirror:

  1. Take off the snow tires: You shouldn’t be driving on snow tires through the spring and summer because of the wear they can endure. You want to make sure the treads stay deep; if you wear them down, they won’t grip as well once winter comes back around. If you have studded snow tires, be sure they are removed by April 30th.
  2. Wash and wax your car: Lots of salt is used on the roads in the winter to deal with icy conditions. This salt can quickly coat the exterior of your vehicle and lead to rust and corrosion. Thoroughly wash your vehicle, including the undercarriage, to get rid of all of this damaging salt. Waxing your car adds a layer of protection from sunlight and heat when moving into the summer months.
  3. Vacuum the inside: Throughout the winter, your boots have tracked in dirty sand and salt. Taking care of the interior of your car is very important to maintaining its condition and value. So take some time to thoroughly vacuum the floors, floor mats and seats.
  4. Check the air in the tires: Changing temperatures outside can mean changing PSI (pounds per square inch) for your tires. Proper PSI can be found on the inside of the driver’s door. Check the air pressure of all tires including the spare.
  5. Examine Windshield Wipers: Check the wiper blades for cracks in the rubber. Winter weather can cause damage to the rubber and impair their function. The blades should move smoothly over the windshield and dry the glass. If they bump along and leave streaks, it’s best to replace them before springtime rain showers arrive.

Happy Spring!