Spring 2025 Car Maintenance: What Vermont Drivers Shouldn’t Skip
You made it through winter, and so did your car. Or did it? While navigating daily commutes and road salt-covered streets, your vehicle takes on more during this season, and it might need some attention soon. As the seasons change and the weather grows rougher, your vehicle could be silently taking a hit from the elements. Have you ever considered how the suspension bears the brunt of those expanding potholes, or how longer braking distances lead to faster brake wear? Moisture and road salt can also cause corrosion that quietly compromises your ride. Each of these factors adds stress to your vehicle's journey, but they often go unnoticed. By paying attention to these hidden issues, you can keep your car in its best shape and ensure its longevity. Don’t let these gradual changes slip by—your vehicle's future depends on it!
At Girlington Garage, we believe that understanding what’s happening beneath the surface is just as important as fixing it. Our Garage would love to help you understand how your vehicle fared through the tough Vermont winter. We know that unexpected repairs can be costly, and that’s why it’s important to really understand your vehicle. Preparing for the road ahead is more than just a routine—it's about keeping you safe and saving you money.
Not-So-Harmless Winter? What’s Happening to Your Car
If you’ve been in Vermont for even just a few seasons, you know that our weather can be unpredictable. Winters might not always bring freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, but you can always expect salted roads, wet grime, and shifting temperatures that can take a toll on your vehicle. Since the parts of your car that are affected by these conditions are hidden underneath it, the signs of damage can sometimes go unnoticed.
During the winter months, a light coating of road salt can build up on your vehicle and over time, this can lead to corrosion, particularly on parts like brake lines and rotors and the exhaust system. Additionally, hitting all those nasty potholes can affect your vehicle's alignment and may cause wear on suspension components. Regularly taking short trips in cold weather can significantly wear down your battery’s performance. The cold also causes fluids to thicken and these short trips don’t give them enough time to warm up and move through your engine, transmission, and other important systems. Months of poor fluid circulation leads to lowered efficiency and wear on vital components.
That’s why spring maintenance isn’t just routine, it’s necessary.
The Spring 2025 Checklist for Vermont Drivers
1. Undercarriage Cleaning & Salt Damage Prevention
Salt might be your car’s worst enemy! It gets into hard-to-see places, undercarriages, wheel wells, brake lines—and slowly eats away at metal components. Even when temperatures stay above freezing, the combination of wet roads and salt still leads to accelerated corrosion.
We recommend our full visual inspection to identify any early signs of rust. And our Corrosion FREE™ undercoating will help prevent or slow down salt damage to preserve your vehicle's structural integrity.
2. Brake Inspection: Quiet Doesn’t Mean Healthy
Just because your brakes aren’t making noise doesn’t mean they’re in perfect shape. Road salt, even without freezing temps, can still lead to internal corrosion and moisture buildup in your brake fluid.
Our spring brake inspection includes a full review of:
Brake pad and rotor condition
Caliper function
Corrosion on calipers and lines
Brake fluid level and quality
We don’t believe in guesswork or cutting corners. If any part of your vehicle needs replacing, we’ll be completely transparent with you. We’ll provide a clear explanation of the current condition of your vehicle and why a repair is necessary. Additionally, we’ll present you with various options to help get your vehicle safe again and performing at its best.
3. Tire Rotation and Seasonal Swap
Winter driving habits often create uneven tire wear. Even in mild winters, temperature fluctuations, and salted roads can impact tire health and pressure.
Spring is the ideal time for:
Making the seasonal swap from winter to all-season tires
Tire rotation to extend the tread life of all-season tires
A quick check of tire pressure, tread depth, wear, and any possible damage
Unsure about what your vehicle really needs for tires? Let us guide you through personalized options tailored to your daily commute, typical mileage, and the road conditions you face. Your safety and driving experience depend on the right tires—let's find the perfect fit together!
4. Suspension & Alignment Review
Potholes don’t require ice to form; they’re a byproduct of moisture and worn-out road surfaces, of which Vermont has plenty. If you’ve noticed your car drifting, pulling, or shaking more than usual, it might be time to schedule a suspension and alignment check.
We inspect:
All your suspension components, including your shocks and struts
All your steering components
Your wheel alignment
Checking your suspension is important because it ensures your safety on the road, improves handling and control, and prevents excessive wear on your tires and other related components.
5. Oil Change & Fluid Refresh
Cold starts and short winter drives are tough on your engine oil. Add in salt residue and variable temperatures, and your engine’s fluids may be dirtier or less effective than you think.
Spring is the perfect time to:
Get a fresh oil change
Flush coolant, brake, and transmission fluids
Check for signs of moisture contamination
Our goal is to help your car run smoothly and efficiently all season long. Taking care of your vehicle now can save you a lot of trouble down the road. We’re here to make sure your car is ready for the season ahead!
6. Battery Check: Avoid the No Start
Winter can make your battery struggle to work properly. Low temperatures can reduce its power, making it harder to start your car. Your vehicle also uses more energy for things like heating and lights, which puts extra strain on the battery. If your battery is older, it's even more likely to have problems in the cold. Additionally, corrosion can build up on the battery connections, which can cause starting issues. Keeping an eye on your battery can help prevent these problems.
We perform a quick and reliable battery test that includes:
Battery voltage check
Alternator output review
Starter function test
Terminal, cable and connection inspection
Don’t wait to be surprised when your car suddenly doesn’t start on you. A simple test now can save you a major inconvenience later.
Clear Talk, Honest Repairs: A Garage That Speaks Your Language
It’s one thing to offer brake inspections or tire rotations. It’s another to turn those services into an experience where customers leave feeling educated, confident, and genuinely cared for.
That’s where Girlington Garage sets itself apart.
It’s okay that some drivers aren’t automotive experts. Instead of rushing through explanations, we walk our clients through what’s happening with their car, visually and verbally. Whether it’s a cracked suspension bushing or uneven tire wear, we’ll show you what’s wrong, explain what it means, and help you decide the best course of action based on your budget and needs.
Why does this matter in spring? The roads have finally cleared up and now we can get a better understanding of what might have changed with the seasons. Understanding what’s happening with your vehicle means you can:
Make more informed repair decisions
Prevent future breakdowns
Extend the life of your car
It's not just about maintenance, it’s about building confidence and trust. That’s what drives everything we do.
TLDR Spring Maintenance: Quick Checklist
If you're short on time, here’s a streamlined list of what we recommend every Vermont driver checks this spring:
Undercarriage wash and rust prevention undercoating
Brake inspection and fluid check
Tire rotation or swap
Suspension and alignment check
Oil change and full fluid inspection
Battery health and charging system test
Air filters and wiper blade replacement
Lights and signal function test
Trusted in Vermont—Here’s Why It Matters to You
We're not just another Vermont auto repair shop. Girlington Garage is rooted in community and built on a commitment to respectful, honest, and clear communication.
From oil changes to suspension repairs to brake inspections, our clients know they aren’t being upsold, they’re being looked after by a team that puts their best interest first.
We believe in:
Education over intimidation
Transparency over guesswork
Relationships over transactions
When you come in for spring car maintenance, you’ll experience that firsthand, with guidance from ASE-certified technicians and educated service advisors who explain the needs of your vehicle in a way that makes sense.
Let’s Get Your Car Ready for a Fresh Start
Girlington Garage proudly serves drivers in South Burlington, Shelburne, Williston, Winooski, Colchester, Richmond, Essex, and the surrounding Vermont community.
Even if your commute has changed or you’re not driving as often, you deserve to understand if your vehicle needs attention, and we’re here to make it easy. With flexible drop-off options, clear communication, and transparent timelines, we’ll meet you where you are.
Schedule your spring check-up today—we’re here to help your car feel as fresh as the season.
Visit us at: 2 Harbor View Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403
Call: (802) 247-7917
Check availability and book your visit here: https://girlingtongarage.com/appointments/