5 Essential Spring Cleaning Maintenance Tips for Your Ride

When the snow melts and the temps start rising, gearheads everywhere know it’s time to shake off winter’s grime and get our rides ready for cruising weather. Whether you’re daily driving a trusty pickup or dialing in a weekend project, spring is the perfect excuse to give your vehicle some much-needed TLC. Winter can be brutal on everything from your undercarriage to your electrical system, so let’s break down five crucial spring maintenance tasks every enthusiast should tackle to keep things running smooth and looking sharp.

1. Wash Off That Winter Grime – Top to Bottom, Inside and Out

Let’s start with the obvious: your vehicle probably looks like it just came off a rally course. Road salt, sand, and mud do more than just ruin your paint—they can eat through metal and trigger rust if left unchecked. Grab a foam cannon or just a bucket and mitt, and give your ride a deep clean.

Pay special attention to the undercarriage. If you’ve got access to a lift or ramps, use them and get underneath with a pressure washer. If not, hit a car wash that includes an underbody spray. And don’t forget the interior—vacuum out all the gunk, clean the glass, and maybe even condition your leather if you’ve got it. Bonus points for throwing on a fresh coat of wax or ceramic spray to protect your finish from spring rain.

2. Check and Replace Fluids

Fluids are the lifeblood of your machine, and cold temps can wreak havoc on them. Now’s the time to check your oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid.

If you didn’t get an oil change before winter hit, go ahead and do it now. Cold starts and short trips during the winter can build up sludge and moisture in your oil. Also, inspect your coolant to make sure it’s still at the proper mixture ratio—especially if you’re transitioning from antifreeze-heavy winter blends to something more balanced.

While you’re at it, check for any leaks around the engine bay or under the car. A simple top-off now can prevent a blown radiator hose or overheating issue down the line.

3. Inspect Your Tires and Wheels

Your tires take a beating in winter. Between potholes and changing temps, it’s not uncommon to see uneven wear, low pressure, or even sidewall damage.

First, check your tire pressure and adjust to the recommended PSI (cold). Then, do a visual inspection for cracking, bubbles, or nails. If you’ve been running winter tires, swap them for all-seasons or summer performance tires. If you need help deciding what size tire to use for your vehicle, you can check out our Tire Size Calculator and get important information. Making an adjustment might even help with your fuel economy! And if your ride took some curb hits, it wouldn’t hurt to check wheel alignment and balance to avoid uneven tread wear or sloppy handling.

Also—give those wheels some love! Brake dust and salt can corrode alloy wheels. A good scrub and maybe even a little polish can make a world of difference.

4. Refresh Your Battery and Electrical System

Cold temps kill weak batteries, and spring is the perfect time to find out if yours is barely hanging on. Pop the hood and check your battery terminals for corrosion. A wire brush and some baking soda solution can clean them right up.

If you’ve got a multimeter, test the battery voltage. Anything under 12.4 volts may be a sign it’s time for a replacement. And while you’re in there, test your lights—interior, brake, headlights, turn signals. If anything’s dim or flickering, it could be as simple as a loose connection or as serious as a failing alternator.

5. Change Out Wiper Blades and Air Filters

Simple, overlooked, and often annoying when you need them most—wiper blades. After a rough winter, they’re usually toast. Swap them out for a fresh pair so you’re not stuck with streaky windows in the first spring downpour.

Next, check both your cabin air filter and engine air filter. Dust, salt, and debris pile up over the winter and can choke off airflow or make your cabin smell like a musty garage. New filters are cheap, easy to replace, and make a real difference in performance and comfort.

Spring Cleaning: The Bottom Line

Spring maintenance isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about preventing bigger issues down the road. Treat your vehicle like it’s more than just transportation, because for PowerNation viewers, it usually is. Whether it’s your weekend warrior or your daily hauler, give it the love it deserves now, and it’ll pay you back all year long.