Spring has sprung in Central Pennsylvania, and AAA Central Penn is reminding residents that springtime preventive maintenance can go a long way for both vehicles and homes.
“Winter can be tough on vehicles and homes, and we encourage everyone to give them both the attention they need this time of year,” said AAA Central Penn President and CEO Jodie Daubert. “As the weather warms, now is the perfect time to perform preventative maintenance that can improve performance and safety – and save you time and money down the road.”
In 2025 alone, AAA responded to more than 30 million roadside calls across the nation, most commonly involving tows, battery issues, and flat tires. Proactive seasonal maintenance can drastically reduce the chance of a vehicle breakdown.
AAA Central Penn offers these springtime vehicle maintenance tips:
- Check your tires. Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread. In case of a flat while traveling, AAA Central Penn is available to assist with a tire change or a new repair solution service called TireJECT® that will repair any holes to get you back on the road safely.
- Check windshield wipers. Check your wiper blades for wear. Cold temperatures from the winter months can cause wiper blade deterioration and windshield visibility is critical to vehicle safety. AAA Central Penn offers convenient on-site windshield wiper replacement for AAA members that doesn’t count towards a roadside service call.
- Lights on: Make sure that all headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights are properly working. Check bulbs and clean cloudy lenses. Weathered headlights can be restored professionally or with DIY kits.
- Fresh emergency kit: Freshen up and transition your vehicle emergency kit from winter to spring. Swap out outdated medications for new and add fresh unperishable food and water, rain gear, cleaning supplies for pollen or grime, jumper cables, a small shovel for digging out of sand or mud, a flashlight, extra windshield wiper fluid and phone charger.
- Battery and charging system: Have the battery and charging system tested, especially if the battery is over three years old. Clean corrosion and ensure connections are secure. AAA Mobile Battery Service and AAA Approved Auto Repair can test and replace batteries.
- Fill fluids: Replace or top off windshield wiper fluids, confirm transmission fluid is full, and change the vehicle’s oil.
- Inspect brakes: Have brakes inspected per manufacturer guidance or if you notice warning lights, low fluid indicator, pulsation, pulling, grinding, or other noise when braking.
- Engine performance: Replace the air filter as recommended by the manufacturer. Address “check engine” lights and fix issues like hard starts, rough idling, stalling, or low power.
Springtime maintenance on your home is also important. AAA Central Penn offers these home spring cleaning tips:
- Clean your dryer vent: Nearly 3,000 home dryer fires happen every year according to the U.S. Fire Administration, causing $35 million in property loss annually. Cleaning dryer vents could prevent about a third of those fires. Make sure to clean your lint trap after every use and do a thorough lint pipe clean out for spring.
- Inspect your roof: Look for damaged shingles or tiles and have them replaced. Repair any cracks to prevent water damage from leaks and trim your trees to keep them away from your home, decks and outbuildings in case strong winds or precipitation cause them to break.
- Clean out your gutters: Remove leaves, sticks and other debris so spring showers can flow freely. Make sure gutters are secure and downspouts drain away from your foundation. If possible, extend the bottom of the downspout away from your home by at least six feet.
