Now that the temperatures are up and we're spending more time outdoors, consider adding do-it-yourself car maintenance to your to-do list.

Whether your goal is just to scrub the road salt residue out of your floor mats or you’re looking to take on larger projects like changing your oil, you can feel a deep sense of accomplishment from seeing your DIY dreams come true. Here are three manageable project ideas to get you started.

Start with a Wash

You can take your car to the local car wash or spray it down with a hose in the driveway. Salt, snow, and ice can wreak havoc on your car, and a buildup of salt on your vehicle can lead to rusting or corrosion.

Take a moment to inspect your car’s interior – it’s the part you see the most, so why not give it a touch-up? You can vacuum the floor mats and seats, wipe everything down, and even add an air freshener and steering wheel cover to feel like you’ve got a whole new ride.

Once you’ve done that, another easy replacement is the battery in your key fob and changing out your cabin air filters.

“Those are usually pretty straightforward,” Bryan Jajkowski, a business relationship advisor for AAA Western and Central New York, said. “Check your owner’s manual, and it’ll tell you where the filters are and how to take the cover off.”

Cabin air filters are key to any vehicle’s heating and cooling system and protect you and your passengers from breathing in dust, pollen, and other harmful pollutants.

Easy Replacements

One of the easiest DIY car maintenance tasks is to replace your windshield wiper blades.

“You can go to any auto parts store, look up the make, model, and type of vehicle you have, pick out the right wiper blades and follow the instructions to replace them,” Jajkowski said.

As the temperatures rise and you begin spring cleaning, consider adding do-it-yourself car maintenance to your to-do list.

Tire Pressure

To prevent drivers from being stranded in the event of a flat tire, AAA recommends that you inspect and air up all five tires – yes, including your spare! Check your tire pressures monthly and have all tires inspected as part of routine maintenance. If your vehicle has a spare tire, be sure that it’s properly inflated.

“Members should think about the last time they checked their spare,” Jajkowski said. “If they get a flat tire, they could be putting on another flat tire!”

Using a tire gauge, check your tire’s pressure and compare it to the recommended tire pressure on a sticker typically found inside the driver’s door. Jajkowski said a tire with low pressure can be aired up at many gas stations, but in a pinch, you can even use a bicycle pump.

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