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As the days get warmer and the prospect of spring road trips and adventures beckon, it’s time to start preparing your vehicle for the season ahead.

While many typically focus on winter car maintenance to stay safe on snowy, slippery roads, it’s important to properly prepare your car for spring to avoid any issues as the weather warms back up.

With a CAA Membership, you can take proactive steps to ensure your car is in top shape while saving money on services and products you need.

Here are five essential tips to get your car ready for the warmer months ahead:

1. Deep clean your vehicle

After months of dealing with slush, salt and the inevitable grime that comes with winter, it’s time for a thorough spring cleaning. Road salt can be particularly damaging, causing corrosion to your car’s exterior and even eating away at the paint. This can lead to rust, which affects both the appearance and longevity of your vehicle. Be sure to wash away the salt on your car’s body to prevent damage, and remember, aluminum-bodied vehicles are not exempt -- aluminum can corrode too.

Inside, don’t skip the deep clean. Removing road salt and debris from your car mats and wiping down all surfaces will not only make your car look better but also improve the air quality. A clean interior creates a more enjoyable, germ-free environment for you and your passengers.

CAA Members enjoy 10 per cent off car washes at participating Shell locations, making it easier to maintain a clean vehicle. Plus, in the Greater Ottawa area, CAA offers multiple Mobile Auto Detailing services to give your car’s interior a professional touch.

2. Change your tires

Properly inflated tires are critical to maintaining your vehicle’s performance and safety. Under- or over-inflated tires can negatively affect handling, turning and braking, and they wear down unevenly. Additionally, driving on properly inflated tires improves fuel efficiency, so the cost of swapping your tires can save you money in the long run.

When switching to summer or all-season tires, remember the “7-for-7” rule: wait until temperatures are consistently above 7 C for at least seven days. Summer tires perform better on dry, snow-free roads and help with traction, while winter tires wear out faster when it warms up to just 10 C, so it’s important to switch them out to make sure they’re safe for next winter.

If you already own summer tires that you’re putting back onto the car, use the coin method to check tread depth. Take a quarter and put it into the tread grooves at a point that seems to be the lowest; if the tread is covering the head of the queen on the coin, your tires are safe for the road.

Some auto insurance policies offer discounts for using winter tires. If you have a winter tire discount, check your policy details to see if there’s a specific date you need to leave your winter tires on until. For CAA auto insurance policyholders, you should wait until April 15 to swap your tires.

CAA Members in Ottawa, North Bay, and Sudbury can take advantage of exclusive member pricing and have their tires changed at home with CAA’s Mobile Tire Change service. Members in Ottawa can also take advantage of competitive prices through CAA Tire Sales, and CAA auto insurance policyholders can benefit from additional tire discounts.

3. Check for chips in your windshield

Winter can take a toll on your windshield, with chips and cracks forming from gravel, road salt or ice. Don’t wait for these small issues to turn into expensive repairs. Addressing minor chips early restores the structural integrity of your windshield and prevents further damage.

CAA members in the Greater Ottawa area can schedule a Mobile Chip Repair service, allowing you to get your windshield fixed without leaving home.

4. Take care of general maintenance

Spring is an ideal time to take care of basic vehicle maintenance.

Here’s a checklist of things to either tackle yourself or to have looked at to make sure everything is road-ready:

• Change your oil: Regular oil changes are crucial to keeping your engine running smoothly and improving gas mileage. Fresh oil keeps your engine properly lubricated, cools components, and removes debris, which all contribute to the longevity of your vehicle. In the Ottawa area, you can book CAA’s Mobile Oil Change to have an expert technician change the oil for you at your home, completely mess-free.
• Check your headlights: Look for any signs of damage from salt, gravel and harsh winter conditions, which can cause cracks in the headlight casing and corrode the electrical wires.
• Top up your fluids: As bugs and birds return, that means extra mess and dirt on your windshield. Top up your windshield washer fluid with a streak-free formula for optimal visibility all summer long.
• Replace your wiper blades: In addition to washer fluid, installing new wiper blades is especially important in spring thanks to dirt, pollen and rain.
• Inspect your brakes: It’s critical to have your brakes checked every 6 months, or 20,000 km (whichever comes first) to make sure they’re functioning correctly.
• Test your battery: You never want to end up in a packed car that won’t start. Winter can negatively impact your battery, so you should check and test your battery to make sure it’s still in good working condition. CAA Members can book a free session with CAA’s Mobile Battery Service, where their team will inspect your car’s charging system, install a new battery, and recycle the old one - saving you up to $270.

5. Get a multi-point inspection

The transition from cold to warm temperatures can reveal issues that may have been hidden during the winter months.

A comprehensive multi-point inspection is an excellent way to assess your vehicle’s health and address any problems early. CAA’s inspection covers over 50 points, including brakes, fluids, suspension and more.

CAA Members in the Greater Ottawa area can also schedule a Mobile Auto Repair service for a multi-point inspection and any necessary repairs, all done from the comfort of their home.

Bonus spring driving tips

As you embark on your spring road trips, keep these spring driving tips in mind to stay safe on the road:

• Drive slowly: the roads can still be slick from melted snow and misty rain.
• Leave space: share the road with motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and leave extra distance behind other cars when it’s raining.
• Avoid potholes and puddles: they could be deceivingly deep and damage your tires and rims.
• Use low-beam headlights: when it’s raining or foggy, using your low-beams helps visibility.
• Watch for wildlife: if driving in rural areas, keep an eye out up to 20 seconds ahead of your car to make sure you see any animals near the road.
• Avoid blindspots: wet roads are slick roads, making it harder to stop. Stay out of other drivers’ blind spots - especially for semi-trucks and large vehicles - to make sure you don’t end up in a dangerous situation.
• Take turns behind the wheel: if you have another licensed driver in the car, take turns driving to avoid fatigue.

To ensure a safe, smooth drive through the spring and summer, preparing your car for warmer weather is critical to do before heading out on road trips.

From changing your tires and testing your battery to swapping your wipers and getting a comprehensive inspection, every step plays a big role in keeping your car performing at its best.

The added benefits of a CAA Membership give you access to exclusive discounts and convenient services, so you can enjoy a smoother, safer driving experience this spring!