Preparing Your Car for Spring: Post-Winter Maintenance Tips

Why Spring Maintenance Matters in Montreal

Quebec winters create unique challenges for vehicles:

• Road salt corrosion – Salt accumulates on your undercarriage, brake lines, and body panels
• Pothole damage – Montreal roads develop severe potholes that damage suspension and alignment
• Battery strain – Cold temperatures drain batteries and reduce their lifespan
• Fluid degradation – Winter conditions affect oil, coolant, and other fluids
• Tire wear – Winter driving and tire changes create uneven wear patterns
• Wiper damage – Ice and snow destroy wiper blades

Taking time for a vehicle inspection now prevents breakdowns during road trip season and helps your car last longer.

Spring Car Maintenance Checklist

1. Wash Away the Salt

This is the most important first step. Road salt is corrosive and will continue damaging your vehicle long after winter ends if not removed.

• Undercarriage wash – Essential to remove salt buildup from frame, suspension, and brake components
• Wheel wells – Salt accumulates here and causes rust
• Lower body panels – Check for rust spots forming
• Engine bay – Gentle cleaning removes salt and debris

A regular car wash is not enough. Use a pressure washer or visit a facility with undercarriage spray to properly remove winter buildup.

2. Inspect for Rust Damage

After washing, carefully inspect your vehicle for rust:

• Wheel wells and fender edges
• Rocker panels (below doors)
• Rear quarter panels
• Around windshield and window seals
• Door edges and bottoms
• Brake lines and fuel lines underneath

Catching rust early means simple repairs. Ignoring it leads to structural damage and expensive fixes.

3. Switch to All-Season or Summer Tires

Winter tires are designed for cold weather and snow. Driving on them in warm temperatures causes rapid wear and reduced performance.

• When to switch – Once temperatures consistently stay above 7 degrees Celsius
• Inspect your all-seasons – Check tread depth before mounting
• Check for damage – Look for cracks, bulges, or uneven wear
• Balance and alignment – After switching, consider a wheel balance and alignment check

In Quebec, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15. After March 15, switching to all-seasons improves handling and fuel economy.

4. Check Tire Pressure

Temperature changes affect tire pressure. For every 5 degrees Celsius change, tires gain or lose about 1 PSI.

• Check all four tires plus the spare
• Inflate to manufacturer specifications (found on door jamb sticker)
• Check when tires are cold for accurate readings

Under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy and handling. Over-inflated tires wear unevenly and provide less traction.

5. Test Your Battery

Cold weather is hard on batteries. The chemical reactions that produce power slow down in cold temperatures, forcing your battery to work harder all winter.

• Test the charge – Many auto parts stores test batteries for free
• Clean terminals – Remove corrosion with a wire brush
• Check connections – Ensure cables are tight and secure
• Consider age – Batteries typically last 3-5 years in Quebec conditions

A weak battery that survived winter may fail in summer heat. Testing now prevents unexpected no-starts.

6. Inspect Brakes

Winter driving and road salt wear down brake components faster than normal.

• Listen for sounds – Squeaking, grinding, or scraping when braking
• Feel for changes – Soft pedal, pulsing, or pulling to one side
• Visual inspection – Look at brake pads through wheel spokes
• Check brake fluid – Should be clear, not dark or cloudy

Brake problems are safety critical. If you notice any issues, have them inspected immediately.

7. Check All Fluids

Cold weather and winter driving affect all your vehicle fluids:

• Engine oil – Check level and color. Schedule an oil change if due.
• Coolant/antifreeze – Check level and condition
• Brake fluid – Should be at proper level and clear
• Power steering fluid – Check level if applicable
• Transmission fluid – Check level and color (if accessible)
• Windshield washer fluid – Switch from winter formula to regular

Low fluid levels can indicate leaks that developed over winter. Investigate any significant drops.

8. Replace Wiper Blades

Winter destroys wiper blades. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures crack and wear the rubber, leaving streaks and reducing visibility.

• Inspect blade edges for cracks, tears, or missing sections
• Test wipers with washer fluid for streaking
• Replace both front wipers together
• Do not forget the rear wiper if equipped

Spring showers require clear visibility. New wipers are inexpensive insurance against rain-related accidents.

9. Inspect Belts and Hoses

Cold temperatures cause rubber to become brittle. Inspect for damage before warm weather stresses these components further:

• Serpentine belt – Look for cracks, fraying, or glazing
• Coolant hoses – Check for soft spots, bulges, or cracks
• Heater hoses – Inspect connections for leaks

A broken serpentine belt or burst hose can leave you stranded. Replacement is far cheaper than a tow plus emergency repairs.

10. Check Lights

Verify all exterior lights are working:

• Headlights (low and high beam)
• Taillights and brake lights
• Turn signals (front and rear)
• Reverse lights
• Fog lights if equipped
• License plate lights

Burned-out bulbs are a common ticket. Check before police notice.

11. Check Suspension and Alignment

Montreal potholes damage suspension components and throw off alignment:

• Signs of alignment issues – Vehicle pulls to one side, steering wheel off-center
• Suspension symptoms – Clunking noises, excessive bouncing, uneven tire wear
• Visual inspection – Look for damaged boots, leaking shocks

Poor alignment causes rapid tire wear and affects handling. An alignment check after winter is a smart investment.

12. Clean the Interior

Winter brings salt, sand, and moisture inside your vehicle:

• Remove and wash floor mats
• Vacuum carpets thoroughly
• Wipe down all surfaces
• Clean windows inside and out
• Check for musty odors indicating moisture problems

Trapped moisture can lead to mold and unpleasant odors. Thorough cleaning keeps your interior fresh.

Professional Spring Inspection

While many maintenance tasks can be done at home, a professional inspection catches issues you might miss:

• Comprehensive brake inspection including rotors and calipers
• Suspension component testing
• Computerized alignment check
• Battery load testing
• Exhaust system inspection
• Undercarriage rust assessment

A spring inspection typically costs $50 to $100 and can save thousands by catching problems early.

When to Skip DIY and See a Mechanic

Some symptoms require professional attention immediately:

• Warning lights – Check engine, ABS, or other dashboard warnings
• Unusual sounds – Grinding, clunking, or squealing while driving
• Fluid leaks – Puddles under your car after parking
• Brake issues – Any change in braking performance
• Starting problems – Slow cranking or clicking when starting
• Vibrations – New vibrations in steering wheel or vehicle body

Ignoring these symptoms leads to more expensive repairs and potential breakdowns requiring towing.

Spring Maintenance Saves Money

Investing a few hours in spring car maintenance pays off:

We Are Here If You Need Us

Even with proper maintenance, breakdowns happen. Montreal Towing provides 24/7 roadside assistance including:

• Battery boost service for dead batteries
• Flat tire changes
• Lockout assistance
• Breakdown towing to your mechanic

Save our number in your phone: 514-483-6944. We are here when you need us.