Spring car care: What can you handle at home?

Windshield wipers that smear rather than wipe, a musty smell in the interior, and layers of mud and salt on the undercarriage—simply changing tyres after the winter season is not enough. While some tasks can be easily handled at home, a thorough inspection is best performed by an authorized service centre.

20. 3. 2025 Lifestyle

For drivers across many European countries, the arrival of spring marks the annual ritual of switching to summer tyres. Although it is legally acceptable to use winter tires in summer (beware of exceptions—Italy, for example, has specific regulations), doing so compromises handling, increases road noise, and raises fuel consumption. Winter tyre compounds are unsuitable for warm-weather driving and, amongst other things, can significantly extend braking distances.

Many motorists can change their own wheels themselves, but those who don't have two sets of wheel discs and only change the tyres on the rim have to go to a tyre shop anyway. Additionally, checking tyre condition should be standard practice. In most of Europe, the minimum tread depth for summer tyres is 1.6 mm. What else needs to be checked or maintained in spring?

Tasks you can handle at home

+ Thorough car wash, including the chassis
+ Interior cleaning
+ Checking and replacing windshield wipers if necessary
+ Replacing the winter tyres with summer tyres and checking them
+ Checking operating fluid levels and topping them up if needed

When to visit a service centre

+ Wheel balancing (at least once every two years)
+ Wheel alignment adjustment
+ Battery check
+ Chassis and brake system inspection, replacement of damaged components
+ Air conditioning system check and cleaning
+ Cabin air filter replacement

Cleansing bath

One of the simplest yet most essential tasks is giving your car a thorough wash. After winter, it’s best to visit a car wash that offers a chassis wash programme. However, hand washing remains the most effective method. If using a touch less car wash, pay close attention to the wheel arches and brake callipers.

Engine washing is prohibited outside of specialized facilities equipped to handle contaminated wastewater.

Take extra care when washing the front grille. A strong jet of high-pressure water could deform the delicate radiator fins behind the grille if handled incorrectly. When washing painted body surfaces, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the optimal distance for the pressure washer gun from the car.

Washing or polishing a car under direct sunlight is also not ideal. The combination of sun exposure and cleaning chemicals can cause irreversible surface damage. Suitable car care products are available in Škoda’s online shop and from authorized dealers.

Cleaning the interior after winter is an important part of spring cleaning.

Fluids and wipers check

Checking and maintaining operating fluid levels is an easy task. Engine oil can be checked using a dipstick, while coolant reservoir level (typically pink in color) should remain between the minimum and maximum marks when the engine is cold. As temperatures rise, replace winter windshield washer fluid with a summer blend that is better at removing insects from the windshield.

Simply check the oil level with a dipstick.

Assess the condition of your wipers as well. If they are cracked, brittle, or leave streaks on the glass, they need replacing. Always opt for original parts designed to match the car’s aerodynamics, windshield curvature, and pressure distribution. Some cars require wipers to be set to a "service position" before replacement. To do this, press the wiper control lever down for more than one second within 10 seconds of turning off the ignition. This moves the wipers into a position where the wiper blades can be lifted and replaced easily.

Did you know that in a year with average rainfall, a windshield wiper covers a distance of 1,600 kilometres on the glass surface?

Also check the condition of the front and rear wipers.

Comprehensive service care

There are also a number of other tasks that should be carried out on a car that ordinary owners cannot handle at home. These tasks require professional equipment and expertise. That’s why it’s advisable to visit a Škoda service centre before the season begins. Service centres can handle all of the above tasks and more.

„As part of the spring service promotion, selected Škoda service centres offer a special spring service check at a discounted rate after the winter season. The procedures performed on each vehicle by trained technicians are directly recommended by the manufacturer," says Jan Pícha.

A typical spring service inspection includes a load test of the car battery. Extreme summer temperatures can be just as harsh on a battery as winter frosts, and an early check can reveal not only the possibility of the car battery approaching the end of its service life but also any impending failures —ensuring your car won’t suddenly refuse to start at the worst possible moment.

Components checked during a spring service inspection

- Battery load test
- Brake system inspection
- Chassis components check, including suspension silent blocks
- Engine oil level check
- Coolant and brake fluid level check
- Diagnostic scan using a VAS tool, fault memory listing (fault memory report available)
- Windshield wiper and washer function check
- Headlight adjustment and alignment check
- Air conditioning system leak test
- Notification of expiration of MOT test

Proper maintenance extends vehicle lifespan

As a complement, customers can also opt for additional services, such as air conditioning cleaning. It’s also worth discussing wheel alignment adjustments or chassis components repairs if necessary. Uneven wear on winter tyres could indicate alignment issues, for example.

"Damage or excessive wear of chassis components often leads to a chain reaction. For instance, cracked or hardened rubber bushings increase stress on related parts, which can lead to unnecessarily expensive repairs if left unattended. Worn-out shock absorbers not only affect ride comfort but also reduce handling in critical situations and contribute to uneven tyre wear, known as ‘cupping’," explains Jan Pícha.

If no damage is found in the axle bearings, pins, suspension mounts, ball joints, shock absorbers, or springs, alignment can be performed in the workshop immediately, using a precision laser machine. "For cars equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, sensor calibration is also necessary in a specialized facility. This ensures all systems function properly," Pícha adds.

Arrival of spring is the ideal season for a thorough vehicle check-up and cleaning. Addressing any winter-related wear and tear as soon as possible ensures long-term reliability. A detailed wash removes residual winter road salt, a service check confirms the car’s safety and performance, and you can head into the new season with confidence.