Blog: Top 5 Things to Check on Your Vehicle at the Start of Spring

Winter is tough on vehicles. Months of cold starts, icy roads, grit-laden tarmac, and near-constant damp leave their mark long before March arrives.

The good news is that a handful of straightforward checks carried out now can save a lot of bother further down the road, and most take no more than half an hour on the driveway.

The five things to check on your vehicle at the start of spring are:

1. Fluid levels (engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, screen wash, transmission fluid)
2. Tyre condition and pressure
3. Bodywork and interior cleanliness
4. Lights and indicators
5. Wiper blades and windscreen condition

Read on for what to look for with each one.

1. Check and Top Up Your Fluid Levels

Cold weather works through vehicle fluids faster than most drivers expect. By the time spring arrives, several levels are likely lower than they should be.

Engine oil is the one to start with. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, then check where the oil sits against the markers. If it sits below the minimum line, or looks dark and gritty, top it up or book an oil change. Engine oil keeps moving parts lubricated and stops the engine from overheating, so running low puts real strain on the system.

Coolant regulates engine temperature and stops the system from freezing in winter. Check the reservoir when the engine is cold, not straight after a run. The level should sit between the minimum and maximum marks.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which gradually reduces braking performance. If the fluid looks dark or the level has dropped, have it checked by a mechanic.

Transmission fluid keeps gear changes smooth. Refer to your vehicle handbook for how to check it, as the process varies by make and model.

Windscreen washer fluid is easy to overlook, but worth topping up before insect season starts. Plain water works in a pinch, though a proper screen wash solution deals with road film and bug debris far more effectively.

2. Inspect Your Tyres

Tyres take more punishment over winter than at any other time of year, and spring is the right moment to assess the damage.

If you are running winter tyres, switch to all-season or summer tyres once temperatures are consistently above 7°C. Winter tyres wear down quickly in warmer conditions and handle less predictably on dry roads.

Check tyre pressure on all four wheels, including the spare if you carry one. Cold weather causes pressure to drop, and under-inflated tyres increase stopping distances, reduce fuel economy, and affect handling. The correct pressures for your vehicle are in the handbook and usually on a sticker inside the driver's door frame.

Check tread depth across each tyre. The legal minimum in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, though most mechanics suggest replacing them at 3mm for better safety margins. The 20p coin test is a quick way to gauge this: place a 20p in the tread groove, and if the outer band of the coin is visible, the tyre is getting close to the limit.

3. Clean the Car to Protect Against Rust and Wear

A proper wash in spring does more than tidy the car up. Road salt, grit, and general winter grime build up on the bodywork and, more critically, underneath the vehicle. Salt is corrosive and, left to sit, it gets to work on the metal of the undercarriage, wheel arches, and exhaust system.

A pressure wash underneath, followed by a thorough wash and rinse of the body panels, will remove the worst of it. Pay particular attention to the door sills and wheel arches where mud tends to collect. Applying a wax after washing adds a protective layer to the paintwork ahead of the summer months.

The interior is worth attention too. Salt and mud tracked in on boots, months of condensation, and damp mats can leave the cabin smelling stale. A good vacuum, wipe-down of the hard surfaces, and a clean of the mats will make a real difference to the day-to-day experience of driving the car.

4. Test All Lights and Indicators

Lights are easy to forget about, but they matter all year round. Cold temperatures and repeated use over winter take their toll on bulbs, so spring is a sensible time to go around and check each one.

Walk around the car and test in turn: headlights on dipped and full beam, sidelights, brake lights, reverse lights, fog lights, and all four indicators. Do not overlook the number plate light. A blown plate light is an MOT failure and can attract a fine if spotted by police.

Brake lights can be tricky to check alone. Reversing close to a wall and watching for the red reflection works well, or ask someone to stand behind the car while you press the pedal.

Most standard bulbs are inexpensive and simple enough to swap at home. Some modern vehicles require more access to reach the housings, in which case a garage can usually turn it around quickly.

5. Replace Wiper Blades and Check the Windscreen

Wiper blades go through a lot over winter. Scraping frost, clearing sleet, and working through heavy rain leaves the rubber perished, cracked, or streaky long before spring. Run the wipers on a wet screen and watch closely. If they are leaving smears, juddering, or skipping patches of glass, replace them. Clear visibility in low spring sunshine and April showers is not a luxury; it is a safety matter.

Check the windscreen itself for chips or cracks that may have appeared during the colder months. A small chip can spread quickly as temperatures begin to change, and most chips are cheap to repair if caught early. Left too long, they can run into a crack across the glass, at which point a full replacement is the only option.

Top up the washer fluid reservoir if you have not already, and use a screen wash product with a higher dilution for the warmer months to deal with the increase in insect debris on the roads.

Spring Vehicle Checks: A Quick Summary

None of these checks are particularly involved. Doing them at the start of spring means heading into the better weather with a vehicle that is in good shape. A small amount of attention now tends to pay off across the rest of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I switch from winter tyres to summer tyres in the UK? Switch when daily temperatures are consistently above 7°C, which in most parts of the UK tends to be from around March or April onwards.

How do I check tyre tread depth without a gauge? Use the 20p coin test. Place a 20p in the tread groove; if the outer band of the coin is visible, the tread is close to or below the 1.6mm legal minimum.

How often should I check my car fluids? At a minimum, check engine oil monthly and before any long journey. Coolant and brake fluid should be checked every few months or at each service.

What happens if I drive on under-inflated tyres? Under-inflated tyres increase stopping distances, reduce fuel economy, and can cause uneven wear. In serious cases, they raise the risk of a blowout.