Get Your Car Ready for Spring Driving

It has been a rough winter for New Jersey residents, and people in general. With Boston getting buried in snow and parts of the south turning into an ice skating rink, people couldn't be happier to bid this nasty winter goodbye. A lot of people have spent freezing mornings jumping their cars and skidding on patches of ice during their morning commute, but winter ending doesn't mean that the tough times for your car are over. Car dealers in New Jersey can tell you how each season can negatively affect a vehicle. Extreme weather of all kinds can be troublesome for car owners and drivers, and when the spring storms come, you'll want to make sure that your car is in tip-top shape. Get your car through the next season by using the following maintenance and driving tips.

Take advantage of spring maintenance sales

Have your brakes been acting a little funny? Do you suspect that your car is leaking fluids? If you have any problem with your car, get it fixed now. A lot of dealerships and mechanics run specials during the months of March and April for general tune ups and maintenance, and you should take advantage of them. When the temperatures start to climb, the pressure in your tires may change and you'll have to deflate or inflate them accordingly. Also, make sure that your car battery is in good condition, especially if you spent a lot of the winter jump starting it.

Be prepared for a problem

It's good that you've taken your car to a shop, but you should still be prepared for any kind of emergency you may run into. The mechanic won't have checked every part of your car, and the issues it has may not end up being the ones you expected. Keep an emergency kit on hand at all times and put aside some money in case you face unexpected repairs.

Take everything slow in the rain

When you're driving on slick surfaces, taking it slow is key. Remember, it takes longer to slow down on wet roads safely – essentially everything takes longer. Applying the gas slowly for a stoplight or traffic signal can help you regain traction and avoid skids.

Give your car a good wash

When spring comes around, you may think it will rain enough to get all of the road salt and grime off of your car. It will rain, but that won't take care of some of the more stubborn dirt on your car. If left to long, these substances can damage your paint job and even start rusting your vehicle – a kind of structural damage that can definitely affect the value of your car. Cleaning your car after winter is over takes away some of the risk of these issues.