Maryland weather is hard on cars in every season, which is why seasonal car maintenance pays off here. In spring, check for pothole and salt damage. Before summer, test the A/C and cooling system. In fall, test the battery and replace worn wipers and tires. In winter, watch tire pressure and rinse off road salt. Keep up with oil changes and brakes all year.
Quick answer
- Spring: wash off salt, check alignment and suspension after pothole season, inspect tires.
- Summer: check the A/C and cooling system before the first heat wave.
- Fall: test the battery, check the heater and defroster, and replace worn wiper blades.
- Winter: check tire pressure on cold mornings, use freeze-rated washer fluid, and rinse the underside.
- All year: oil changes on schedule, brake checks, and don’t ignore warning lights.
What should you check on your car in spring?
Spring is cleanup time. By March, most cars in Montgomery County have spent months driving through salt, brine and potholes. The goal is to find winter damage before it turns into a bigger repair.
- Wash the underside. Rinse off the salt that built up over the winter, including the wheel wells and under the car, not just the paint.
- Check for pothole damage. Signs include the car pulling to one side, a steering wheel that sits crooked when you drive straight, a new vibration, clunking over bumps, or a bulge on a tire sidewall.
- Look at the tires. Check tread depth and pressure, and rotate them if they’re due. If you used winter tires, spring is the time to swap back.
- Replace wiper blades if they streak. Ice and scraping wear them out, and spring storms are a bad time to find out.
If the car pulls, wanders or clunks after a winter of potholes, have the steering and suspension checked. A bent part or bad alignment also wears tires out early.
How do you get your car ready for a Maryland summer?
Maryland summers are hot and humid, and stop-and-go traffic on a 95-degree day is one of the hardest things you can ask of a cooling system. Get ready before the first heat wave, not during it.
- Test the A/C. If it’s blowing weaker or warmer than last year, have it checked now. Low refrigerant usually means a leak, so topping it off without finding the leak is only a short-term fix. Our auto A/C repair page explains what we check.
- Check the cooling system. Look at the coolant level in the overflow tank when the engine is cold, and watch for leaks, a sweet smell, or a temperature gauge that climbs higher than normal. Hoses that are cracked, swollen or soft should be replaced. If anything looks off, have the cooling system inspected before a long trip.
- Keep an eye on tire pressure. Heat raises pressure, so check it in the morning when tires are cold and fill to the number on the driver’s door sticker.
- Remember the battery. Summer heat wears batteries down, even though they often don’t fail until winter.
What should you do in the fall before winter?
Fall is the most important season for maintenance in Maryland. Most of the problems that strand people in January can be caught in October or November.
- Test the battery. Most batteries last about 3 to 5 years. If yours is 3 or older, have it load tested before the first freeze. Our battery, alternator and starter service checks the whole starting and charging system.
- Check the heater and defroster. A defroster that can’t clear the windshield is a safety problem, not just a comfort one.
- Check tread depth. Put a quarter upside down in the tread. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, the tires are getting too worn for wet leaves, slush and snow.
- Replace wiper blades and switch washer fluid. Blades usually need replacing every 6 to 12 months, and summer heat bakes the rubber. Fill up with washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures.
- Check all the lights. It gets dark early after the time change, so replace any burned-out bulbs and clean hazy headlights.
- Check coolant strength. Coolant protects the engine from freezing as well as overheating. A shop can test how cold it’s protected to.
What car care matters most in winter?
By the time winter arrives, most of the work should be done. Winter is about keeping an eye on things.
- Tire pressure. Pressure drops as temperatures fall, and the warning light often comes on during the first cold snap. Add air on cold mornings. If the light stays on after filling the tires, have the TPMS sensors checked.
- Salt. Rinse the underside of the car every so often during salty stretches, on a day above freezing, to slow down rust on brake lines and exhaust parts.
- Visibility. Keep washer fluid topped off and clear all snow and ice from the windows, lights and roof before you drive.
- An emergency kit. Keep a blanket, flashlight, phone charger, jumper cables, ice scraper, small shovel, water and snacks in the car.
- Fuel. Keep the tank at least half full so you can run the heater if you get stuck in traffic during a storm.
What maintenance should you keep up with all year?
Some maintenance doesn’t follow the seasons. It follows the odometer and the calendar.
- Oil changes. Our general rule is every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first, unless your owner’s manual says otherwise.
- Brakes. Have them checked if you hear squealing or grinding, feel a pulsing pedal, or the car pulls when you stop.
- Tire rotation. Many manufacturers suggest every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, often at oil change time. Check your manual.
- Warning lights. A check engine light, battery light or temperature warning should be looked at soon, whatever the season.
A note on inspections: Maryland does not require a yearly safety inspection. A Maryland State Inspection is required when a used car is sold, titled or transferred, such as when you buy a used car or bring a car in from another state. We’re a licensed Maryland inspection station for Type A vehicles.
Getting ready for winter?
Fall is the best time to test your battery and charging system. Our ASE-certified mechanics check the battery, alternator and starter together.
Seasonal car maintenance FAQ
When should I get my car ready for winter in Maryland?
October or November is a good time, before the first hard freeze. Test the battery, check tires and wipers, and make sure the heater and defroster work.
When should I have my car’s A/C checked?
In spring, before the first real heat wave. If the air is weaker or warmer than last summer, there’s likely a leak or a failing part.
How often should I replace wiper blades?
Usually every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if they streak, skip or chatter. Many drivers replace them in fall before winter weather.
Does Maryland require a yearly car inspection?
No. Maryland requires a safety inspection when a used car is sold, titled or transferred, not every year. Learn more on our Maryland State Inspection page.
How do I know if a pothole damaged my car?
Watch for the car pulling to one side, a crooked steering wheel, new vibrations, clunking over bumps, or a bulge on the tire. Any of those is worth having checked.
Bring your car to New Level Auto Service
We’re at 716 E Gude Dr in Rockville, MD. Walk-ins are welcome, and calling ahead gets you in faster.
- Phone (301) 762-1200
- Hours Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM
- Extras Night drop and 24-hour emergency towing