Spring Car Maintenance Checklist: Get Your Vehicle Ready for the Season
As winter fades and the days get longer in Worcester, spring is the perfect time to give your car some much-needed attention. Months of wet roads, salt, cold starts, and limited daylight can take their toll on your vehicle. A thorough spring maintenance check not only freshens up your car, it can also prevent bigger problems down the road.
At Lowes Garage, we help local drivers prepare their cars for the warmer months with expert servicing, diagnostics, and seasonal inspections. This guide outlines the key steps you should take to ensure your car is safe, efficient, and road-ready this spring.
Why Spring Car Maintenance Matters
After a long winter, many vehicles emerge with:
- Worn tyres
- Low fluids
- Dirty filters
- Damaged wiper blades
- Battery wear
Plus, spring is often when people start planning road trips, days out, or longer drives. Making sure your car is in top shape can save you money, reduce emissions, and improve fuel economy.
1. Check and Top Up All Fluids
Your car’s fluids play a vital role in cooling, lubricating, and powering key systems. After winter, levels may have dropped due to cold starts or frequent short journeys.
Check and top up:
- Engine oil
- Brake fluid
- Coolant/antifreeze
- Power steering fluid
- Windscreen washer fluid
If you’re unsure or uncomfortable checking these yourself, we’ll do it for you as part of our spring car service.
2. Test the Battery
Cold weather is hard on car batteries. Even if your car made it through winter, your battery may have weakened.
Signs of a tired battery include:
- Slow cranking when starting
- Dim lights
- Warning lights on the dashboard
We offer free battery testing at Lowes Garage and can supply and fit a replacement if needed. Don’t get caught out when the weather warms up.
3. Inspect Tyres for Wear and Pressure
Winter conditions can be rough on tyres. Potholes, cold air (which reduces pressure), and salted roads all contribute to wear.
Check each tyre for:
- Adequate tread depth (minimum 1.6mm – but 3mm is safer)
- Cracks, bulges, or uneven wear
- Correct pressure (found in your vehicle handbook or door sticker)
We provide tyre inspections, repairs, and replacements for all makes and models.
4. Replace Wiper Blades and Top Up Screen Wash
Wiper blades take a beating over the winter months. Ice and grit can leave them split or damaged, leading to smearing.
Replace blades if:
- They streak or smear the windscreen
- They make squeaking or chattering noises
- The rubber appears cracked or worn
Use a spring-grade washer fluid to clear pollen, insects, and road dust.
5. Clean Your Car – Inside and Out
Road salt and winter grime can cause corrosion if left on your car’s bodywork, wheels, and undercarriage. Spring is the time to clean everything thoroughly.
We recommend:
- Undercarriage wash to remove salt
- Waxing the paintwork for protection
- Interior deep clean to remove winter dirt and odours
Our professional valeting services in Worcester give your car a showroom finish.
6. Change Air and Cabin Filters
Pollen season starts in spring, and that means clogged filters can worsen allergies and reduce airflow.
We suggest:
- Engine air filter replacement to improve performance
- Cabin (pollen) filter replacement to enhance air quality
A clean engine filter can even improve fuel economy. We replace both during full and major services at Lowes Garage.
7. Check Brakes for Wear or Noise
Spring is a great time to get your brakes inspected, especially if you’ve driven in slushy or wet conditions that accelerate corrosion.
Watch out for:
- Grinding or squeaking sounds
- Pulling to one side when braking
- A soft or vibrating pedal
We provide brake repairs and inspections using high-quality components that meet manufacturer standards.
8. Inspect Suspension and Steering
Potholes and uneven roads can damage your suspension or knock your alignment out of place.
Symptoms include:
- Excessive bouncing after bumps
- Steering wheel vibration
- Uneven tyre wear
We’ll check your shocks, struts, and steering for any signs of damage or fatigue.
9. Check Lights and Electrics
Spring means longer days, but don’t neglect your vehicle’s lighting and electrical systems. Winter salt and moisture can cause corrosion or blown fuses.
Inspect:
- Headlights and tail lights
- Indicators and brake lights
- Fog lights and reverse lights
If anything’s not working, pop in for a bulb replacement or fault diagnosis.
10. Book a Professional Service
A spring car service helps catch problems before they get worse. At Lowes Garage, our technicians inspect over 50 key areas, including:
- Oil and filter change
- Brake and suspension check
- Fluid top-ups
- Tyre and pressure inspection
- Air and cabin filter replacement (where applicable)
We recommend at least a full service once a year, and spring is the ideal time.
FAQs: Spring Car Maintenance in Worcester
1. How is a spring service different from a winter one?
Spring maintenance focuses on cleaning, de-salting, and checking for damage from cold weather. Winter checks prioritise fluids, battery life, and cold-start reliability.
2. How much does a spring check-up cost?
It depends on your car and the services needed. We offer fixed-price servicing and free quotes for any additional work.
3. Can you combine a spring service with an MOT?
Yes, many customers book them together to save time and money. We also offer MOT testing with free retests when booked with repairs.
4. Is a clean car really that important?
Yes! Salt and grime can cause rust, especially underneath the vehicle. Cleaning protects your paintwork and resale value.
5. Do you check hybrid and electric vehicles?
Absolutely. Our technicians are trained to work safely on all modern drivetrains, including hybrids and EVs.
Real Case Study: Fresh Start After Winter
A customer from Warndon brought their VW Golf in for a spring service. Our team found:
- One tyre below the safe tread level
- A cracked wiper blade
- Low coolant
- Cabin filter clogged with dust and leaves
We addressed everything the same day, and the customer left with a clean, quiet, fresh-smelling car that felt ready for spring weekends and the school run.
Why Choose Lowes Garage for Spring Maintenance in Worcester?
- Friendly, professional service from a local, independent garage
- Fixed-price servicing and transparent quotes
- Qualified to work on all makes and models, including electric cars
- Full range of services including:
- Diagnostics
- Brakes
- Valeting
- Tyres
- Tow bars
- MOTs
We’re proud to serve customers across Worcester, Kempsey, Malvern, and the wider Worcestershire area.
Summary: Start the Season Right With a Spring Service
After a long winter, your car deserves a fresh start. A little maintenance now goes a long way toward safer, more efficient driving all spring and summer.
Book your spring car service in Worcester today at Lowes Garage. We’ll help you get back on the road with confidence.
