11 ways to get your car ready for spring and summer

You should have done this a few times during the winter months anyway, but now it's imperative, to remove road salt, grit, and grime — all stuff that will damage your car's finish over the long haul.

I often recommend paying a little extra — $100 — this time to year to have you vehicle detailed. That means getting it deep cleaned, inside and out. It's great — you'll feel like you have a new car.

At the least, however, you should get it washed and waxed, or do it yourself, taking additional time to make sure the lower section of the vehicle is especially clean,

Winter kills wiper blades. But they still have to work when spring rains arrive.

A new set will cost you about $40. They're easy to install yourself, but you can always stop into most full-service gas-stations and have new wipers put on.

Everybody uses more wiper fluid in winter than in spring and summer.

You can actually fill the reservoir with plain old water, but the blue stuff that you buy at the auto parts store will do a better job of keeping your windshield clean.

I'm a change-your-oil-twice-a-year guy, but due to the operational demands of winter on engines, the arrival of spring is a good excuse to check this essential lubricant.

If you're running low, top off and head over to a quick-change location to have the oil changes and get a new oil filter put on.

You can also do this yourself and save a few bucks, but then you'll have to dispose of your own used oil.

Many car owners now use synthetic rubber mats that are specifically designed to deal with the rigors of rotten weather.

It's easy to ignore the buildup of filth when winter is raging, but springtime is the right time to yank those mats out of the car and give them a thorough washing. If need be, replace them with a new set.

Winter is also brutal on tires. Now is the time to make sure that all four tired and the spare are properly inflated.

It's also the time to evaluate the condition of your tires and, if you've been using snow tires, swap them for your usual set of rubber.

Look for cracks, degraded tread, and anything that might lead to a blowout on the road.

You won't need a parka and a blanket anymore. Spring is the season to double check that the batteries are good on your flashlight and that you have a few bottles of water in the vehicle, just in case.

Also replenish flares if they were used during winter and make sure all the components of your tire jack are in the car. If you don't have a spare or a jack, determine if all the parts of the patch kit are in working order.

Here's how to do it.

If you have an older vehicle, you may want to see what new aftermarket technology is available to improve your systems.

If your car is newer, you can check with your dealer to make sure that all your tech and software is up to date.

Cars need to be serviced at regular intervals, so now is a good time to dig out the owner's manual or go online to see what you're due for, given the mileage on your vehicle's odometer.

While you're at it, make sure you're prepared to renew your registration if that task is coming around in the next six months. Depending of the state you live in, this could mean an inspection, which a qualified mechanic can do for you.

Maybe your car isn't the the right vehicle for you anymore.

You might have bought a small sedan when you really needed an SUV. Maybe you could use all-wheel-drive. Perhaps an electric car, such as the Chevy Bolt pictured above, is something you've thought about but never considered realistic or affordable.

Spring is a good time to plan for a change. Note that I said "plan." As the warmer months stretch out, you can pay closer attention to how you're getting along with your current car.

Then, when the end of the year rolls around, you should be able to make a good deal on a trade in or new lease, as dealerships are trying to clear their lots.