April may have been National Car Care Month — but if your vehicle didn’t get the attention it deserved last month, don’t worry. There’s no bad time to show your car some love, especially with summer road trips just around the corner.
Start with the basics: tires, battery and fluids
Tires are your car’s only contact with the road, so they’re a great place to start. Check your tire pressure monthly (the recommended PSI is on a sticker inside your driver’s door), inspect tread depth using the quarter test — insert a quarter upside down into the tread; if the tread doesn’t reach the top of Washington’s head, it’s time for new tires — and look for cracks, bulges or signs of uneven wear. Don’t forget to check your spare, too.
Next, have your battery tested. Cold winters are hard on batteries, and the transition to summer heat can push a weakened one over the edge. Many auto parts stores offer free testing — well worth the 10-minute stop. If your battery is more than three years old, an annual test is a smart habit.
Fluids are another quick win. Run through the essentials: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and windshield washer fluid. Coolant is especially important heading into warmer weather, since it’s what keeps your engine from overheating on long summer drives.
Don’t overlook the easy stuff
A few smaller checks can make a big difference. Test your windshield wipers — winter tends to leave blades cracked and streaky, and spring showers will put them to work quickly. Run your air conditioning now so you have time to address any issues before the heat kicks in. And take a look under the hood at your belts and hoses; cold temperatures can cause rubber components to harden and crack, and a failed belt on the highway is no fun for anyone.
While you’re at it, give your car a thorough wash — undercarriage included. Winter road salt builds up in places you can’t easily see, and left untreated, it leads to rust.
Whether you tackle this checklist yourself or book a visit with your mechanic, a little attention now goes a long way. And before any big trip, it’s worth checking for open safety recalls at NHTSA.gov/Recalls — just enter your VIN to see if anything needs addressing.
Have a summer road trip on the calendar? Share your destination with the Shop Talk community — and let us know your go-to car care tips while you’re at it!
Did you know? EVs need spring TLC too
Electric vehicle owners can skip the oil change and spark plug check — but spring maintenance still matters. EVs are heavier than conventional vehicles due to their large battery packs, which puts extra stress on tires, so tire rotation is typically needed every 5,000–8,000 miles. EVs also have a 12-volt auxiliary battery that powers accessories and electronics, and it can discharge silently — especially after extended periods of inactivity or in cold temperatures — leaving you unable to start the car even with a full main battery. And don’t forget: keeping your main battery charge between 20% and 80% for daily driving helps protect long-term battery health — a good habit to revisit as summer road trips (and longer driving days) approach.