Even though there are still a few weeks left of winter, it is never too early to begin thinking about preparing your vehicle for the next season. When the days get longer and the temperature begins to rise, there are several car maintenance procedures that should be implemented.

Sometime within the next six weeks, every car owner living in the Northeast should check their tires. After taking off your winter chains, take out your pressure gauge and make sure that your tires are inflated to the level recommended by your owner’s manual. Tire pressure changes with the rising temperature and should be monitored accordingly.

An under-inflated tire will bulge outward and will put harmful pressure on the sidewalls of the tire, according to HowStuffWorks.com. On an especially hot day, a low tire can unexpectedly blow, creating an extremely dangerous driving situation.

Beyond being a safety concern, an improperly inflated or misaligned tire can cost you money at the pump. Appropriately inflated tires can increase your car’s fuel economy by as much as 3 percent, Kiplinger reports.

After de-winterizing your tires, get out your hose and thoroughly clean the undercarriage of your car. We have all seen what salt can do to the exterior of an otherwise well-maintained automobile, but it can be even more damaging to the underside of a car if not properly removed. Salt with slowly eat away at the essential parts of your vehicle and will make your engine and transmission run hotter.

Overall, the best way maintain the health of your automobile through the spring and summer is to keep your engine as cool as possible. After changing your radiator fluid and coolant, be certain to check all the hoses and belts that connect your car’s most vital components.

Visually check all your belts for cracks and damage, and make sure that the rubber material is firm and hasn’t started separating into different layers, according to the news source. The risk of belt failure tends to increase after 36,000 miles.

Finally, check and clean your battery. Although dead batteries are commonly associated with winter conditions, summer heat will accelerate the chemical reaction inside the battery, causing it to be overcharged. Cleaning your battery with a paste of baking soda can significantly add to its life.