Spring is here, so that means we are safe (safer?) from the snow. But car owners will still need to stay on top of their seasonal maintenance during the warmer months. Here are some tips to keep your car in tip-top shape for the spring. Tire pressure service Testing the battery Without the battery, you can’t start the car. Extreme cold temperatures can prevent the battery from starting, so testing it once the spring starts can be very helpful. If the battery is struggling to stay charged and you have trouble starting your vehicle, then it's time to replace it. Checking your tire pressures Keeping your tires filled to their optimal pressures is a must. The cold air from the winter makes them lose pressure over time, so when it warms up, they will start to rise. To make sure your tires are at the correct levels, be sure to check the label on the driver's side door jamb for the tire pressure recommended for your vehicle. Topping off your fluids Pop open the hood and take a look under all of the fluid reservoirs. Liquids such as windshield washer fluid, transmission fluid, coolant and motor oil need to be monitored as seasons change. If you notice some of your fluids need to be topped off or it's time for a change or flush, make sure you take action quickly. Replacing your windshield wipers Everyone is familiar with the phrase April showers bring May flowers. That means you will be driving in a lot of rain, so you need your wiper blades to be in good shape. You can check the condition of the wipers to see if they are worn or falling apart. You can buy replacement wiper blades from any auto parts store and some locations will put the new wipers on for free. Inspect your brakes Now this can be a bit tricky as it can be difficult to take a close look at the brakes with the wheels being in the way. But to get a closer look, you can remove the tires and use a jack stand and floor jacks to raise the vehicle to check them. Tim Rodifer, technical director at Mr. Transmission and Milex Complete Auto Care, spoke to the Detroit Free Press on a phone call about maintaining your brakes. “Brakes have built-in wear indicators. When the pad gets to a certain thickness, a metal piece rubs against the rotor and will squeak. That sound lets you know they will need to be replaced soon.” Test and check your lights This is easy to overlook, but always make sure your lights are working correctly. Headlights, taillights and turn signals are important to staying safe on the road. Change your filters The engine air filter keeps contaminants away from your engine while the cabin air filter keeps them out of your car's interior. These should be changed every year and aren’t too difficult to change yourself. Don't ignore warning lights If you see warnings on your dash when you start the car, don’t ignore them. If you don’t know what the symbols mean, you can check them with an ODB-II scanner. You can buy one yourself or have an auto parts store use theirs on your vehicle. These scanners can tell you what the warning lights and other error codes mean in your vehicle. Then make sure you solve whatever problem your vehicle has before it becomes a bigger issue. Make an emergency kit You can never be too safe when you are on the road. Creating a kit of safety items can prepare you for the unexpected. Emergency items such as jumper cables, a portable jump starter, an air compressor, a flashlight and a first aid kit can be very helpful. If there are other emergency items you think you will need, be sure to put them in your vehicle. Keep it clean If you are willing to take care of the rest of the vehicle, the final cherry on top is keeping it clean. Wash and dry the exterior properly and keep the interior clean as well. Go to a car wash with an underbody spray to clean the bottom of your car. Contact Keenan Thompson: kthompson@freepress.com.