We all get our cars ready for the winter but how many of us get them ready for spring?

After a long winter of wear and tear from snow, salt and potholes, your car needs attention.  Preparing for the spring and making checks now can save you a lot of money in the long run.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) recommends the following 7 easy steps that will protect your car & make it more efficient:

Give your car a spring clean

Salt is corrosive and will cause rusting if left on the bodywork. Give your car a good clean including underneath to get rid of every trace.

Its pollen season

The UK pollen season can be pretty miserable for hay fever sufferers, so replacing your car’s pollen filter annually is a vital investment. Keeping your air-conditioning well maintained will help as well.

Servicing your air-con will also help your car smell better

If it smells stale when you turn the heating on, it could well be a sign that mould is building up in your condenser.

Flies will soon be out in force

Be sure to refill your washer fluid. Habitually washing the windscreen and headlamps when you stop for fuel is also important as windscreen wipers won’t get rid of all the fly debris.

Change your wiper blades

Old wiper blades are not only noisy; they can leave marks on the windscreen, so remember to replace them regularly. Clean them regularly to avoid damaging your windscreen.

Tyres & wheel alignment

After a pot-holed winter, check your wheel and tyre alignment. Misaligned tyres wear out more quickly.

Top up your anti-freeze

Anti-freeze contains corrosion inhibitors so you should keep your car topped up all year round – going without could lead to expensive engine damage.

Don’t forget

Deal with minor problems and repairs as they happen – they can become very expensive if left to build up over time.