Spring Has Sprung! The Ultimate Spring Car Care Guide

Spring is here, and the weather is getting better every day. It’s the ideal time for getting outside and hitting the road, especially after we’ve spent so much time confined to our homes. But is your car clean and roadworthy enough to drive this spring? If not, you could be putting yourself and your passengers at risk, as well as feeling embarrassed about the state of your car everywhere you park. We want to make sure you’re driving a safe, clean vehicle that you can be proud of! 

Here we answer all your spring car maintenance questions and offer some essential spring car care tips to help you get the most out of your motoring this season.

When should you wash your car in the spring?

If you haven’t done so already, you need to wash your car as soon as possible. One of the most important elements of spring car care is to wash it at the beginning of the season. This is vital to the structural integrity of your car, as it will have been dealing with a lot during the winter.

Poor road conditions, bad weather, and mud can all cause damage to your car. One of the most important spring car care tips is to wash your car thoroughly to remove all the dirt and debris of winter. Don’t forget the underneath of your car and the wheel arches, as these are places where the dirt really tends to gather. This is why a professional clean should really be part of your spring car care routine — the professionals have specialist equipment that can remove stubborn dirt, which can be difficult at home.

Heading into spring with a clean car will give you peace of mind and also provide an extra feeling of pride in your car. You’ll want to drive it more, enabling you to take full advantage of the good weather.

Getting your car ready for spring 

The most important step is to make sure your car is thoroughly clean inside and out. As part of your spring car maintenance, you should check that the fabrics of your seats are clean and no debris such as old food or drinks have been left in the cup holders or footwells. Your car needs to be a hygienic environment for you and all your passengers, particularly if you have children. You also need to clean under the floor mats, as any debris there could get in your way while you’re driving.

In addition, there are a number of other essential maintenance tasks you need to carry out before taking your car on the road. These include the following:

• Replace your wiper blades — They will have been subject to a lot of wear and tear during the winter months. 
• Check your windscreen washer levels — If your reservoir is running low, you need to top it up. The worst of the weather might be gone, but you need to think about dust and bugs at this time of year. 
• Check your tyre pressures — Changes in temperature can cause the pressure to drop in your tyres, so it is important to make sure they are at the right pressure for the make and model of your car. You also need to give your tyres a thorough inspection to check that they still meet legal standards in terms of how worn they are.
• Check your oil levels — If you have used your car more than usual over winter, or if it’s possible your car could have a leak, it could be low on oil. It is essential to make sure there is enough oil in your car if you want to avoid damaging your engine — these are extremely costly to repair or replace!
• Test your brakes — This simple task could save your life! Check your brake discs for any signs of dirt or rust, and test your brake response times in a safe and controlled environment. If you feel they are not functioning properly, or if they are making any strange noises, it’s time to call a mechanic.

Once you have completed all these spring car maintenance tasks, you’ll feel a lot safer on the road. But if you’re not confident in doing it yourself, why not get in touch with the pros? The team at Jim’s Cleaning can help you with spring car care and provide spring car tips too. So if you want more information about keeping your car clean all year or booking a cleaning appointment, please contact the professional team here at Jim’s Cleaning. We are always happy to help.

FAQs

How do you maintain a seasonal car?

It isn’t just spring car care that counts — your car needs to be roadworthy and safe at all times. If you only drive your car at certain times of the year, the above steps are even more important, but they are unlikely to be thorough enough. If your car has been idle for a period of time, some of the parts could have seized up or ceased to function. It is advisable to get your car checked over by a mechanic if you haven’t driven it for a while.

How often should I get my car cleaned?

Regular car cleaning is important to maintain a safe and healthy car inside and out. Car manufacturers usually recommend that you get your car cleaned approximately every two weeks, or at the very least, once a month. After all, your car is a big investment, so you want to keep it in the best possible condition for as long as you can.

We all lead extremely busy lives these days, so it can be difficult to find the time to clean your car as often as you’d like. If this is the case, you can look for a reputable local car cleaning company offering mobile services — they will come to your home or workplace and clean your car for you using professional equipment.

If your car hasn’t previously been cleaned often enough, you can add this to your spring car care plan.

Why is consistent car cleaning important?

Cleaning your car regularly is the easiest way to keep it in good condition. Dirt and debris from the roads can ruin the appearance of the paint. People tend to notice the appearance of your car, so keeping it clean shows that your vehicle matters to you and you take good care of it. As part of your spring car maintenance, you should consider getting your car professionally waxed as well as washed to make sure the paintwork stays in the best possible condition throughout the spring and summer months.

Don’t forget that dirt can accumulate, and over time it can damage the bodywork of your car. Rust can lead to structural problems that put your safety at risk. This is why washing your car regularly is so important — it gives you and the professionals a chance to check if your car is structurally sound.

It isn’t just cars that need regular cleaning, either. Trucks, caravans and boats are all coming out at this time of year, and they also need to be in their best possible condition for the spring season.

How much does it cost to get my car professionally cleaned?

The cost of professional car cleaning varies widely, depending on the company you choose and the size of your vehicle. At Jim’s Cleaning, our  spring car care prices start at just $75 for a small sedan, including a thorough clean inside and out, as well as detailing. You also receive a Jim’s Work Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with anything, we will gladly put it right for you.