Canadian winters can wreak havoc on your vehicle. Road salt can corrode numerous parts, potholes can stress out your suspension, the cold can quickly drain your battery, and fluids can degrade over time.

Spring is the ideal reset to catch winter damage before it leads to a summer breakdown. Addressing winter wear early in the season means you’re not scrambling for a last-minute or emergency repair as road trip season begins. Getting ahead of the spring rush means faster appointment availability at your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre.

Your technician covers a lot of ground during a spring maintenance service. Here’s what to expect.

During your routine spring car maintenance service, your NAPA AUTOPRO technician will thoroughly review multiple systems and parts on your vehicle.

Tires and Wheels

If you’ve swapped your tires from your winter to summer set, your technician will look over your tread depth, tire pressure, and rim condition at that time. They’ll also conduct a wheel alignment and reset the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to make sure your wheels are in great shape.

If you haven’t had a tire changeover, your AUTOPRO technician will rotate your tires and inspect your tread depth, tire pressure, and rim condition during your spring maintenance service.

Brakes

Your technician will check your brake pad thickness and rotor condition to see if they need to be replaced. They’ll also complete a brake fluid check and look over your brake lines for any signs of corrosion.

Suspension and Steering

Since spring potholes are a fact of life in Canada, suspension wear is one of the most common findings after winter.

Your suspension includes many components, so your technician will check your shock absorbers and struts, bushings, ball joints, and steering linkage. They’ll also make sure your chassis has enough lubrication.

Catching a worn bushing or compromised strut early can prevent more significant steering and alignment problems down the road.

Fluids

Since fluids can degrade over the winter, your technician will check your engine oil and filter, windshield washer fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and differential and transfer case fluids.

Battery and Electrical

A battery inspection is especially necessary in spring, since batteries that struggled through the cold may not have much life left in them. Your technician will run a battery cranking test and check cables and clamps for any damage. They’ll also test your lights and signals to make sure all connections are working properly and bulbs don’t need to be replaced.

Belts, Hoses, and Filters

Cold temperatures can make plastic and rubber brittle and cause cracking. This is why your technician will check your drive belts and engine timing components. They’ll also review your radiator hoses for damage and inspect your engine air filter and cabin air filter to see if they’re due to be replaced.

Undercarriage and Exhaust

Road salt and corrosion can speed up the development of rust on the underside and body of your vehicle. Your technician will fully inspect your frame and undercarriage, as well as your exhaust system for any signs of corrosion, damage, or holes.

A multi-point inspection includes a full review of your vehicle’s systems and how they work together. This thorough check ensures small problems are caught early, so they don’t grow into bigger, more expensive repairs in the future.

NAPA AUTOPRO technicians are trained to spot winter wear that many drivers may not notice. Unlike a quick visual check at home, a professional multi-point inspection covers systems that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Certified technicians have the specialized diagnostic tools to properly assess your vehicle for any issues.

Transparent service is part of the NAPA AUTOPRO experience, so there are no surprises. Your technician will walk you through the findings and let you know if any additional services or replacements are recommended.

Whether it’s a worn brake pad, a cracked hose, or a battery that’s nearing the end of its life, you’ll have a clear picture of your vehicle’s condition and what it takes to fix it.

From there, it’s up to you how you’d like to proceed. Your technician can help you prioritize repairs based on safety and urgency and will explain any recommended work in detail, so you understand exactly what’s happening.

This would also be the ideal time to pre-book your summer maintenance service to make sure you’re staying on top of regular maintenance intervals. Consistent seasonal services help extend the life of your vehicle and reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.

As you say goodbye to winter, it’s time to make sure your vehicle is also ready for warmer and sunnier days. Get ahead of the spring rush and trust your NAPA AUTOPRO certified technician to expertly inspect your vehicle.

Find your nearest NAPA AUTOPRO service centre and book your spring maintenance appointment today at napaautopro.com.