Car Care Tips by Season

Did you know there are specific car care tips by season? For example, one of my must-dos before the first snowfall is making sure my car has antifreeze as well as plenty of window washing fluid.

On the flip side, after winter, I always “treat” my car to a full car wash. Why? Because it’s smart to bathe your car and take care of it after a winter full of road salt and more.

That’s why I decided to put together this list of car care tips by season. 

Winter car care tips

Getting your car ready for winter involves pretty much everything inside and outside your car.

Care tips under the hood

For example, under the hood, you want to make sure you’ve got sufficient coolant–aka antifreeze.

Also under the hood–check your battery. Cold weather can kill a battery quickly.

In addition, as I mentioned above, you’re going to need lots of windshield washer fluid when dealing with slushy roads. You know how that stuff splatters.

So, if it’s been a long time since you refilled that reservoir, do it now.

Check headlights and taillights

While you’re at it, make it a habit to wash your headlights and taillights. I use the windshield clean wands when filling up my car at the gas station.

Why keep these parts clean? Well, you want to be able to see at night. And you want other drivers to see your brake lights.

Do you need new windshield wiper blades

It’s really easy to destroy windshield wiper blades in winter. This is especially true if they’ve frozen to the glass and you try to move them.

I learned this the hard way last year when I was too impatient with defrosting my back windshield.

Anyway, before winter starts is a great time to ensure that your windshield wipers are in good shape.

Advance Auto Parts has a printable shopping list you can use for all of your winter car care checklist needs.

Also, if you use code NOV2, you’ll get 15% off your online order, through 11/24/22.

How are your tire treads

You’re safest driving when your tires have sufficient tread. You’ll need this tread for braking in slippery conditions.

You can try this trick at home to check tire treads: take a penny, turn it upside down (heads facing out), and insert into the tread. If you can see all of Abe Lincoln’s head, you need new tires.

The top of Abe’s head is still out of sight? Then your tires are still good enough for the coming season. But check again in spring.

Tires at Costco

Did you know that one of the best places to buy tires is Costco? Not a Costco member yet? Check out this deal.

Costco Membership Deal via Groupon

The best deal on a Costco Membership right now is through Groupon. When you sign up, you’ll get your one-year membership plus a $40 Costco Digital Shop Card for free.

In case you didn’t know, the Costco Shop Card is the store’s gift card. You can use it in store or online.

This offer is for new Costco memberships only or for former Costco members whose membership expired more than 18 months ago. So, if you’ve moved, there wasn’t a Costco nearby and you let your membership lapse for more than 18 months, you’re good to go to sign up for this deal again!

Also, you can avoid the lines at your Costco location by signing up for this Groupon Costco deal. This was the crowd at the new Costco in Maine near where I live. Yikes!

Terms and Conditions

• After purchase you’ll receive an email from Costco confirming your membership details. To pick up your membership card, stop by the membership counter at any Costco location and bring a copy of that email with your photo ID. Incentive will be emailed within 2 weeks after sign-up to qualifying members.
• You’re receiving a One-Year Costco Gold Star Membership
• A membership card for the Primary Cardholder and one additional Household Card for anyone living at the same address, over the age of 16
• A $40 Digital Costco Shop Card (valid at Costco locations and Costco.com)
• Valid only for new members and those whose previous memberships (Primary and Household) have been expired for at least 18 months or more.
• Please allow up to two hours to receive your confirmation email from Costco. You must have either your Costco or Groupon confirmation email to receive your physical membership card at a Costco location.
• A physical membership card is not required to shop online or receive your incentives.
• Incentive includes a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card
• Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed within 2 weeks after sign-up to qualifying members.
• Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the Primary Member at time of sign-up.
• Not valid for the renewal of an existing Costco membership.
• To purchase this package, you must be 18 years of age or over, and agree to Costco’s Membership Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
• All sales final.
• $40 Digital Costco Shop Card is not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at Costco Gas Stations, Car Washes, or Food Court Kiosks.

Again, this a Groupon-only deal for a Costco membership.

Other warehouse club memberships

Perhaps you prefer to shop at another warehouse club because it is more convenient to where you live than Costco is. Good news: Both BJs and Sam’s Club have Groupon deals right now for memberships. Plus, both tend to have gas stations where members can get a cheaper price when filling up the gas tank.

Spring car care tips

With winter finally over, what does your car look like? Mine is always a mess.

It will have salt stains and winter grime all over it. Also, it will be sorely overdue for a trip through the car wash.

With many vehicles like mine neglected during the recent brutal winter months, they could use a little extra care by now.

That’s why I wanted to share some car care tips with you, from the Car Care Council. FYI, April happens to be National Car Care Month.

Keep your vehicle clean

Regular car washes and waxes protect the paint and body of your car from corrosive debris.

If you live in an area where they salt the roads in winter, you should be washing your car on a regular basis.

Make sure your car maintenance is on time

Every vehicle has a manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule.

Whether you choose to do your own maintenance or patronize a local repair shop, following a routine service schedule is essential to keeping your car in safe and dependable working order.

Fix things before they become big problems

Your windshield wipers aren’t cleaning as well as they should?

Your gas tank is missing its cap?

There’s a warning light on your dashboard? Don’t be like Penny on “Big Bang Theory” and ignore things when the check engine light comes on.

When you see your car needs attention, don’t delay.

Repairing small things now can help avoid more costly problems down the road, and add years of useful vehicle life.

Summer car care tips

You probably never stop to think about getting your car ready for summer.

But there’s a legitimate reason to take time now to give your car the care it needs before you head out on a car vacation.

For example, did you know that the heat of the summer can drain a battery as much as the cold of winter?

Checklist for summer car checkup

So before you hit the road this summer for car trips, make sure you check the following:

• The brake system
• That the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free
• Filters and fluids. These include those used for engine oil, antifreeze/coolant, windshield washer, brake, transmission and power steering. Dirty air filters can waste gas and cause the engine to lose power.
• Hoses and belts, and replace them if they become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
• Tires, including tire pressure and tread. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy and uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Also, check tires for bulges and bald spots.
• The gas cap to ensure it is not damaged, loose or missing.

Fall car care tips

October is Fall Car Care Month. And because you can start to experience winter weather before fall is even over, many of the fall car care tips are the same as in winter.

• If it’s been more than six months since you replaced your windshield wipers, consider installing new ones.
• Check fluids, such as windshield washer fluid and coolant/antifreeze.
• Have brakes checked.
• Make it a habit to keep your gas tank always at least half full. This can help avoid moisture build up, which can freeze your gas line as temperatures drop.